Grand Theater
309 E. Grand Avenue,
Escondido,
CA
92026
309 E. Grand Avenue,
Escondido,
CA
92026
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This became the Bijou on December 8th, 1976.
In the below 2010 YouTube link, Lorraine Boyce the first woman mayor of Escondido recalls her part in the closure of the Pussycat Theatre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfFnlcs12oU
If the owners are ever going to remodel it, I would love to be a part of it. I would really like to be a part of Escondido history. I would probably even volunteer.
Here’s a cool newspaper clipping showing all the movies playing in the general area back in 1975.
Newspaper Clipping
From this site: Valley Drive-In Blogspot
I believe the building in that Google link two posts above is an old drugstore. The theater appears to be to the right of that, one building in from the corner of Juniper Street.
A plan has been submitted to the Escondido City Council that would turn the Ritz into a cabaret dinner theater and events venue: View link
I’m reasonably certain that this is the theater building:
http://tinyurl.com/yb8rus5
New book-length Pussycat Theatre history from the San Diego Reader:
View link
Advertised at 309 E. Grand in September 1979. Name was the Bijou. Feature films were “Wanda Nevada” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”.
An article in today’s North County Times says that the Boroughs have spent $70,000 in repairs so far on the building in the 3 years they have owned it. Repairs were halted this past year while they did work on their 112 year old house, but they plan to resume renovation in a month. Their hopes are to make it a community owned theater.
Article link: View link
A great 1951 photo of the exterior of the Ritz Escondido was printed in the San Diego Union Tribune on Dec. 18, 2005. Flames are soaring through the roof as the marquee displays “Fireball”. An art deco design (long gone) graced the facade of the building. The theater closed for 3 years following the fire. As of this date, the owners have spent $150,000 to clean up the theater, but no opening is on the horizon.
Hello DJ,
I don’t think the place is haunted…. it ran for many years just fine. It’s a great venue if someone were to put a little into cleaning it up. It’s in a great location with lots of drive-by traffic.
The new owners are Chuck and Leona Borough and the Chamber of Commerce or City Directory will have them listed. If you need more info, perhaps I can help a bit more.
Im trying to rent or lease this estabishment if any one can get me contact information it would be greatly appriciated.
ps. I have been keeping a track of this estabishment for a few years now and noticed when ever someone tries to open something up there it closes down pretty fast due to tragic events that have happened in the past, does any ony one know if this place is HAUNTED?
It’s actually a great name for a theater: According to the dictionary…
RITZ
n. Informal
“Elegant, often ostentatious display.”
Idiom:
“to put on the ritz” (Informal)
“To behave or live in an elegant, ostentatious manner.”
this where ritz cracker is made
Hello from Colorado!
Vincent Miranda was my God Father and owner of the Pussycat Chain. I have been putting together a collection of ANYTHING Pussycat befor all is lost. I would really like to find an old marquee…you know..the oval w/ the Ms. pussycat and “It’s a Pussycat Theatre” Even an old match book would make my day.I have only been able to find pics of the New View and the Tiki. i would like to find a pic for each California Pussycat eventually..Please..if you have any information..let me know.
Thanks!
Tim david
970.309.3991
Southwest Builder and Contractor of April 23rd, 1937, announced that Clifford Balch had prepared the plans for a theatre at Escondido. The name of the theatre was not given in my source, but the timing was right for it to be the Ritz.
The earlier publication, Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer, issue of September 18th, 1909, mentions a theatre (again, no name given) that was to be erected at 5th and B Streets, Escondido, for a Mr. John Johnston, Jr. Apparently, the Johnston family was in the theatre business in Escondido for a long time.
In October, 2003, the theater was struck by a utility company truck, which crashed right through the lobby. The driver, who suffered a heart attack at the wheel of the truck, died. Until a settlement is complete, the theaters future use is still uncertain. The facade still is boarded up because of the extensive damage caused by the accident.