Broadway Theatre

201 Broadway E,
Seattle, WA 98102

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Additional Info

Functions: Drugstore

Previous Names: Society Theatre

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Broadway Theatre

Originally opened as the Society Theatre on December 8, 1911. It was re-named Broadway Theatre in 1921 and remodeled in the 1940’s. The Broadway Theatre was the centerpiece of the Capitol Hill neighborhood in the early-20th century. People fought hard to keep this theatre open. Alas, the efforts failed.

However, the memory of the Broadway Theatre remains. The outer facade of the building and the Broadway’s neon-lit marquee were preserved when the building became a Rite Aid drugstore in 1990. It’s kinda weird to drive past the Rite Aid. The traditional Rite Aid sign is mounted on the marquee with the word ‘BROADWAY’ above it.

Contributed by Katie Mac

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

kateymac01
kateymac01 on May 21, 2005 at 2:32 am

This theater was originally named the Society Theatre.

droben
droben on October 8, 2005 at 5:07 am

The Broadway was a long and narrow theater that specialized in foreign films in its final few years before closing. It was operated by Randy Finley’s Seven Gables Theaters and was closed when the Broadway Market Cinemas opened just two blocks north.

GWaterman
GWaterman on December 26, 2005 at 4:26 pm

This theatre was around the corner from the first place I lived when I moved to Seattle. I loved the marquee!

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 1, 2006 at 3:19 pm

Here are two photos from 1946 and 1948, respectively:
http://tinyurl.com/ksshu
http://tinyurl.com/zekkj

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 5, 2007 at 4:36 pm

There are some photos of the Society Theater on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/2kbtnk

rivest266
rivest266 on January 18, 2012 at 3:33 pm

THE SEATTLE TIMES – January 11, 1990

BROADWAY TO CLOSE The Broadway Theatre on Capitol Hill will close its doors for the last time tonight. The Pay'n Save store next door is scheduled to expand into the theater’s space at the corner of John and Broadway.The Broadway’s last picture show is “We’re No Angels.” It opened as the Society Theater in 1911. Seven Gables Theaters, which has been managing the Broadway for several years, already has moved most of its bookings…

scorchy
scorchy on November 20, 2014 at 11:52 pm

I saw “Do the Right Thing” here.

pnelson
pnelson on April 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Good Rite Aid had the class to at least keep the blade sign up I hear. Too bad the theatre did not survive. Much of Broadway is history as far as unique shops, bars and restaurants. Gone forever to corporate dust.

Texas2step
Texas2step on September 13, 2017 at 5:02 pm

This one opened as the Society Theatre on December 8, 1911.

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