Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Park Theatre, Lafayette, CA closing

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Posted by Mike Croaro (Member # 3123) on 09-13-2005, 05:18 PM:

Hi Folks:

Bad news for people of the Berkeley/Lafayette area. Renaissance Rialto, Inc. has just announced that they will close their Park Theatre this Sunday. The property has been sold. This weekend they will present three of the Parks most popular films.

For those unfamiliar, the Park is a single screen cinema seating approx 350 people. Built in the 40's or 50's it is a very cozy theatre in a sleepy neighborhood. What a huge blow this is! [puke]

Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 09-13-2005, 06:02 PM:

Yes, I knew this was coming, unfortunately. The good news is they're using the $$ to install new seats at the Grand Lake!!

I'll be at the Park this weekend to say farewell..

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 09-13-2005, 10:47 PM:

Such a nice place too. Last time I was there the union operator was still running 6000' changeovers on their E-7's.

At least the Park's sister theatres are still operating:

The Lark, in Larkspur CA:

and The Noyo, in Willits CA:

All three locations when singles (the Noyo is now a triplex and the Lark has had extensive remodeling of its booth and lobby) were identical except for dimension (some were smaller some were larger but the floorplan/layout and cosmetics were practically identical)

-Aaron

Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 09-14-2005, 01:18 PM:

This does suck indeed.

I'll try and get down there for photos this weekend. Last I was in their booth they were still running 6000' changeovers.

Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 09-14-2005, 04:58 PM:

And they were still running changeovers when I saw Red Betsy and Garden State there earlier this year.

Posted by Mike Croaro (Member # 3123) on 09-17-2005, 10:55 AM:

Hi Eric; Other:

Is the Cinearts @ Pleasant Hill also slated for closure? It was suggested so on the "cinematreasures.com" website.

Posted by Eric Hooper (Member # 1730) on 09-17-2005, 04:43 PM:

They've been wanting to demolish that for a while. Hasn't happend yet... There was some sort of campaign, just as mentioned on the cinematreasures about saving it. I don't know the exact status of it now. I do know they've been extensively remodeling and building up the mall surrounding the theatre. That Cinearts seems to do brisk business.

Will be at the Park tonight for Cinema Paradiso...

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 09-18-2005, 02:38 PM:

The Park was`nt built in the fifties because I worked there in 1942-3 before I went overseas. Had Western Electric universal base, 46 amplifier[all 9 watts of it] Motiograph Model F`s and Brenkert Senarc[1kw] lamps. All used stuff, nothing new available because of the war. Joe and Abe Blumenfeld and "Brick Laws" built the theatre. Was union when I worked there, Local 169 Oakland.