Comments on: Landmark Ridgewood Theater to Reopen This Year

By: Tony Torres

Tony Torres — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:46:57 +0000

I saw the Godfather there in 1972 as well as the House of Wax (3D) and a bunch of old movies back in the day.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:56:43 +0000

Do you have any solid information about the pending restoration and reopening of the theater? Any info from the owners? There seems to be absolutely no movement on this project and while landmarking is great, it is still vacant and a big dead space on Myrtle Ave.

By: Jared

Jared — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:10:36 +0000

I read a very similar article in the NY Post last March that said it would be open July ’09 so, sadly, it seems that the wheels are moving very slowly. I saw Terminator 3 there years back, and part of the reason I moved to my part of Bushwick was to be close to a theater, but it literally closed in between my finding a place and moving in. I just hope it can happen by the summer when they will actually make a little money. Tho it seems unlikely.

By: Nino

Nino — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:33:53 +0000

Very nice piece here.
My Father prepared food for Jackie Gleason at the Ridgewood. It was for live acting, singing and dancing at the time. This must have been around the 1940′s.

Points to writer Justin Ludwig for great work !

By: Paul Cox

Paul Cox — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:00:18 +0000

This is fantastic news. Can’t wait to attend something there soon. Seeing those historical murals come to light would be even better.

By: Michael Perlman, Friends of Ridgewood Theatre, Chair

Michael Perlman, Friends of Ridgewood Theatre, Chair — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:44:19 +0000

Thank you very much for publishing the Ridgewood Theatre article on BushwickBK! I admire your style of writing. It covers many bases, and is a fine work that captures the creativity and broad nature of the cause.

An edit: The owners original intentions to develop retail will not be affected by Individual Landmark status (facade) or any future possibilities of Interior Landmark status. Landmarking does not dictate the use of a building. It only ensures that historic architectural features will be preserved and reused creatively in the new use for the theater, so future generations can cherish them. As in this case, it is most likely retail for the back auditorium space, with modern screens upstairs. Landmarking helps maintain and enhance the values of a property.