By Rebecca Henely
The historic Ridgewood Theatre, a movie house in the neighborhood which has been shuttered since 2008, has a buyer — one who is planning to use the space to open a supermarket. Yet activist Michael Perlman is still hoping the theater can keep some of its old charm.
“I also feel it would be more cost-effective if those features were incorporated into the new supermarket plan,” Perlman said.
The Ridgewood Theatre, at 55-27 Myrtle Ave., originally opened in 1917 but closed in 2008. Since then, the theater has been owned by Mario Saggese and Anthony Montalbano.
Harry Laufer, president of Associated Supermarkets, confirmed Guzman was the new owner of the theater, but said he was not expecting to open the supermarket for a few months.
The Associated Supermarkets chain has locations in New York and New Jersey, most of them in the city.
In response to the sale, Perlman has created a petition and websites asking Guzman to protect and restore parts of the interior of the building which still remain unravaged by time. He said he hopes the theater, whose facade is landmarked, can resemble the Rite Aid at 55-60 Myrtle Ave. in Ridgewood, which was installed in a former bank building.
“The original features can be incorporated into the new supermarket with a little bit of creativity,” Perlman said.
He said he also hoped some of the space could be used as a performing arts center.
Perlman said he has not yet met with Guzman, but hopes to. He said he also wants to meet with City Councilwomen Diana Reyna (D-Ridgewood) and Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) about the theater.
Bennett Barusch, deputy chief of staff for Reyna, said her office was scheduled to meet with the new owner soon.
Gary Giordano, district manager of Community Board 5, said a Key Food store on St. Nicholas Avenue near Woodbine Street had recently closed and that a supermarket in the theater could potentially be a need in the community.
“It would be great if it could have remained a theater or become some sort of an art/music venue,” Giordano said, “but the owners have to pay their mortgage and if this is who they’re getting an offer from, it’s in my opinion better than it staying vacant.”
Perlman led a campaign to get landmark status for the facade and the marquee of the theater after it closed, which his organization won earlier this year. He has since been trying to get landmark status for parts of the interior, particularly the lobby and staircase.
But others, such as Theodore Renz of the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District, said the auditorium is in need of repair.
The theater, designed by architect Thomas Lamb, opened in 1916 as a showcase for vaudeville acts and silent movies. It was later converted into a multiplex before closing.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
