Residents reflect on iconic Ridgewood theater as it’s set to close
With the Warner Theater in Ridgewood set to close permanently on Sunday, members of the community are reminiscing about the historic site they say has brought joy to many residents.
Paul Giordano of Waldwick remembers how his mother would give him some extra money when he went to the movie theater as a child so he could tip the gentleman who typically played a flute or violin outside. One Instagram post read that the street musician, Philip Belpasso, was a “fixture on the streets of Ridgewood for over 20 years” and brought electric energy to those who were entering or leaving the theater.
Giordano also remembers the theater’s Tuesday specials, which allowed customers to see a movie at an affordable price.
The Ridgewood theater opened in 1932, and Giordano said his mother visited the theater as a child. He said he loved having the opportunity to support local businesses such as the Warner Theater.
Other residents were upset to hear about its closing. Many comments on Instagram read that the news was heartbreaking, and others commented that the theater was the “heart of the town” and said they were sad to lose a place full of movies and memories.
Some film enthusiasts reflected on the movies they got to see in the theater, such as the “Star Wars” prequels, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Rush Hour 2.”
One Facebook commenter wrote: “As an immigrant to the USA in 1966, the Warner Theater has been a significant part of my life. I can still vividly remember the first movie I saw there, “The Sound of Music.” Although I didn’t speak English at the time, the power of music transcended language barriers.”
The owners of the Warner Theater, Bow Tie Partners, said they want to remain engaged with the downtown Ridgewood district. The real estate agency has said it hopes to transform the space into a single-auditorium performing arts venue.