Detroit Theatre In Lakewood, Ohio Closing Its Doors

If you grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, you will likely have many fond memories of the Detroit Theatre located on 16407 Detroit Ave. It was a favorite local, walkable spot in Lakewood where middle school and high school kids would go on the weekends and a great place for a cheap, adult matinee.

It was a safe hangout for teenagers on a Friday or Saturday night. The cheap ticket prices along with the perfect teenage dinner at the concession stand, contributed to one of the great reasons to live in Lakewood and raise a family there.

The Detroit Theatre was the only theatre in Lakewood for roughly 85 years and their doors are scheduled to close due to lack of sales and high movie industry prices. Times have changed with technology, but there are still certain basics that families and young adults need to entertain, stay busy and be safe.

It’s a shame that the Detroit Theatre will be closing. It’s also a shame that Lakewood will be losing this revenue and the half-dozen jobs that the Detroit Theatre was responsible for. Employees were told that their last day will be January, 30th.

Kids and adults will now have to venture off to Rocky River, Westlake and surrounding cities near Lakewood to go to the movies along with major shopping as Lakewood does not have a mall or large shopping center. Lakewood consists of many small, boutiques and locally owned shops and restaurants. Many Lakewood residents prefer this style and it’s one of the reasons the Detroit Theatre fit in so well. It wasn’t run by a major chain and it wasn’t an enormous, expensive cinema complex. No large parking lot or escalators.

The Barr family has owned and operated the Detroit Theater since 1953 and renovated the theater in 1988 and turned the large space into two separate auditoriums. The owner, Norman Barr who also owns Parma Theater is set to retire and the Detroit Theater is reportedly up for sale asking $695,000.

It’s a sad day for the many current Lakewood, Ohio residents and former residents that have enjoyed the Detroit Theatre for decades. Just one more part of our recent culture that the next generation will miss out on.

So what will happen to the closed Detroit Theatre? It depends on who purchases the property naturally, but it’s a great space and a great location in Lakewood. Maybe they’ll turn it into a concert hall, another movie-type establishment, a showroom or museum or a trendy music venue/restaurant/bar. Perhaps it will turn into something that families can enjoy together or at least be kid-friendly. We’ll see!

Last movie showing  will be “True Grit,” starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon — it’s set for the evening of Jan. 30, 2011.

We will miss the Detroit Theater in Lakewood. Thanks to the Barr family for many years of local fun and making growing up in Lakewood an extra special time for so many including myself – Cecilia Sherrard