Cinema Theater (Rochester, New York)

The Cinema Theater is a motion picture theater in Rochester, New York. Opened as a neighborhood motion picture theater in 1914, it is one of the oldest continuously operated motion picture theaters in the United States.[1] The theater is located at the corner of South Clinton Avenue and South Goodman Street in Rochester.

Cinema Theater
General information
Architectural styleArt Deco
Address957 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
Town or cityRochester, NY
CountryUnited States
Opened1914
Renovated1949
Other information
ParkingParking lot, street parking
Website
cinemarochester.com

History

Originally named "The Clinton", due to a circular arrangement of wooden benches with an open area in the middle, it was affectionately referred to as the "flea pit", a name which stuck for many years — and long after the original dirt floor was covered and the benches were replaced with seats.[1] In 1949 it was renamed the Cinema by its owners, Morris Slotknick and Philip Cohen, and four years later it was enlarged to extend a full city block, and its distinctive Art Deco facade installed.[2] The business was acquired by Jo Ann Morreale in 1985.[1] After helping the theater financially for some years, John Trickey acquired the theater in 2012. In 2018, the business was sold to a local couple while Trickey retains ownership of the building.[3]

Current Status

The Cinema has one screen and films tend to rotate weekly. They show a mixture of mainstream and independent films. The schedule usually features an afternoon matinee on weekends and daily double features in the evening.[1] The theater is also known for having resident pet cats that moviegoers can socialize with.[3]

References
  1. "History of the Cinema Theater". Archived from the original on 2012-02-07. Retrieved 2012-02-18.
  2. Rochester Times Union newspaper, September 12, 1953, article by Hamilton S. Allen
  3. Lubitow, Adam. "Bonus features: Meet the Cinema Theater's new owners". City Newspaper.


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