Garden Theatre (Winter Garden, Florida)

The theatre first opened in December 1935 as a single screen cinema and was the first in Central Florida built for "talkies".[2] Several renovations changed the face of the theatre until it closed in 1963, as movie attendance declined in the new age of television. Soon after, the site became a farming supply store, where the interior seating was removed and the sloped floor was filled and leveled with cement.

In 2002 the City of Winter Garden purchased the site and the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, began restoration of the theatre.

The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation acquired the building January 1, 2004 through an operating agreement with the City of Winter Garden.

The warmly-lit interior of the 299-seat theatre has Mediterranean revival architecture with a Spanish tile courtyard, "Romeo and Juliet" balconies, and lanterns in the windows over the proscenium arch with palm trees decorating either side of it.[3] The theatre newly features a 12’ X 24’ screen with a digital projector and a full-service box office and concession stand. The ceiling of the theatre was dark blue, resplendent with stars.

In 2008, the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation completed the restoration of the Garden Theatre. Restoration brought the Garden Theatre back to its original architectural simplicity, in keeping with the character and revitalization of historic downtown Winter Garden, making the building an authentic period piece.

The Garden Theatre also hosts well presented plays each summer for teens and children. In 2012, they put on Oliver!, which was later reviewed as a hit.

The theatre has become the heartbeat of the city as a performing arts center, movie theatre and multi-purpose venue.