Once regal cinema languishes after 21 years of disuse
What was once considered a grand theater where a thousand people could go and watch a movie together is now dark and covered in dust, boarded up with graffiti and peeling paint on the walls.
Established in 1950, the Sunset Theater brings a unique, 1950’s vintage aesthetic to Lodi, but has not been utilized for 21 years and it doesn’t seem like that will change, as it still sits vacant on 1110 W. Lodi Ave.
“There’s been some interest over the years in possible different uses for it,” said Jeff Hood, Lodi’s parks, recreation and cultural services director. “But in the end, it’s too cost prohibitive to change the use.”
Sunset isn’t the only theater that has been closed down in Lodi. There have been at least three more that closed down in the past.
“There was a theater (The Valley) by Raley’s as well, owned by the same company (T&D),” Hood said. “There was a theater (The Arbor Theater) on North Sacramento Street, I think it may be a church now near the vet hospital.”
The Lodi Theater was owned by T&D Enterprises and was located on South School Street, but closed down in 1968 due to a fire. The North American Cinemas company closed down Valley Cinemas as they were opening Stadium 12.
There have been auctions to sell the Sunset Theater, but nothing has come of them. According to Hood, the amount of work that would have to be done would be costly and it may not do well operating as a theater again.
“If it’s safe and boarded up and locked up to where no one can break in and vandalize it, it’s not a nuisance and the city isn’t too concerned with it,” Hood said.
Today, the Sunset Theater is owned by Pacifica First National, a company based in Los Angeles. Attempts to reach the company were unsuccessful.
The inside of the theater is covered in graffiti with chipped paint on the walls and ceilings.
What was once considered a grand theater with a 1,000 seats is now dark and covered in dust, but much of it is still intact.
“I went there in 2014 in April or May,” said Craig Hoffman, senior planner for the City of Lodi. “When I walked in there, it was like time had stopped. Things were dusty, it was dark. Even though some homeless lived in there, almost everything from the seats and concession stand were still there. It was like a time capsule.”
Sunset Theater is where many movie-lovers spent their time growing up, seeing blockbuster films with friends and family.
“It’s iconic because we all grew up with it,” Hoffman said. “I remember seeing ‘”Batman” on opening night there — and when you see a movie there, you’re a part of something.”
The 1,000 seats played a part in making seeing a movie there a special experience, he said.
It is unknown what will become of The Sunset Theater. Some think it should be demolished and some would like to see it back up and running again.
Whatever it turns into, Hoffman hopes the marquee will still be intact.
“If it’s going to be used for housing, have it be called ‘Sunset Housing,’” Hoffman said. “Just keep that marquee.”