Westwood / Hilliard Square Theatre in Lakewood, Ohio

posted by mgill on October 27, 2006 at 4:50 am

A story in this week’s Cleveland Free Times describes how a city’s interest in the grand old Westwood Theatre and a performing arts center’s desire to build a new campus in Lakewood Ohio could return the theater to glory — if only everyone were on the same page.

Bob Dobush lives at the theater, and not in any metaphorical sense. The collector and restorer of antique radios keeps an apartment above the long-vacant Hilliard Square theater in Lakewood. He bought the landmark in 1998 to save it from the wrecking ball.

Behind the theater’s Hilliard Avenue door stands the decaying glory of a bygone era, an ornate lobby and staircase.

For more, visit the Cleveland Free Times.

Theaters in this post

Comments (2)

Natalieland2006
Natalieland2006 on October 27, 2006 at 6:31 am

It’s good to see that atmospheric theaters are still around, such as the Rose Theater, located in Omaha, Nebraska! Hopefully some preservation groups will contribute to revitalize this gem of a historic landmark.

It was good that a chain drug retailer’s purchase offer was refused. Once restored, covenants could be placed to preserve this vintage theater.

I wish the best of luck! Please e-mail any history with exterior and interior photographs of this theater to or

Thank you for your consideration and do have a very nice day.

Natalieland2006
Natalieland2006 on October 27, 2006 at 6:36 am

It’s good to see that atmospheric theaters are still around, such as the Rose Theater, located in Omaha, Nebraska! Hopefully some preservation groups will contribute to revitalize this gem of a historic landmark.

It was good that a chain drug retailer’s purchase offer was refused. Once restored, covenants could be placed to preserve this vintage theater.

I wish the best of luck! Please e-mail any history with exterior and interior photographs of this theater to or .

Thank you for your consideration and do have a very nice day.

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