Business & Tech

Historic Beach Theatre Closed

The classic Beach Theatre, which was open for more than 70 years, is now shutdown.

The Beach Theatre, which has stood since 1940 on Corey Avenue, is closed.

The Beach Theatre's Marquee has been changed from its normal movie times and reads, "Thanks for the memories."

On Sunday, the following status update was added to the theatre's Facebook Page:

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"We would like to thank everyone for supporting us over the years and making so many "Beach Theatre Memories". A Sad day has come in the life of the "St. Pete Beach Theatre". We will miss you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Beach Theatre opened on January 15, 1940 with the film Dust Be My Destiny. Since then, the film has been showing movies every week, keeping it's doors open during World War II even after they were told by the military to suspend operations. The theatre showed movies for a year-and-a-half during wartime.

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Owner Mike France had previously said on the Save the Beach Theatre website that he might be forced to shut down the theater.

According to a blogpost on Just Keep Swimming, The Beach Theatre closed down because of a dispute between of ownership between France and his wife.


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