Vogue Theatre
226 Third Avenue,
Chula Vista,
CA
91910
226 Third Avenue,
Chula Vista,
CA
91910
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Growing up in the 50’s/60’s in Chula Vista meant going to the Vogue on the weekend. 25 cents bought you a ticket in for as long as you wanted to stay. Had my first kiss there. My sisters and I spent many a Saturday at that wonderful old theater. Mom would give us 30 cents so we could get a candy too. Later in the 70’s and 80’s, as an adult I can remember going there and enjoying the old theater with my kids. I also remember the popcorn refill. Such fun, such memories. I hope the plan to re-open as a restaurant/music venue pans out. I will be there.
I remember they even opened their own video rental service for a short time in addition to showing movies!
There was a sign outside that the new Vogue was coming soon. But nothing has happened.
I miss this theater. Every week they would play 2 or 3 movies for $2.50 50 cents more if you want a recliner. $2.50 for large popcorn $2.50 for large drink both with a free refill. Nachos for $2.50 which was better than the big name theater. A great bargain for $10.00.
We used to ride our bikes there in the ‘70s. They had a deal where you could get a free 2nd tub of popcorn. You brought up your tub, and they they’d mark it on the bottom to indicate the tub had been filled-up twice. We kids, would go around the theatre looking for unmarked tubs, and go up and get a free tub of popcorn! LOL Ahhh the memories!
Went here a couple of times while visiting family.
This theater outlived the nearby and NEWER Plaza Bonita 6 and Sweetwater 6 (later 9) theaters in operation!
I saw Star Wars for the first time in 1980 at the Vogue during its third release. The trailer for The Empire Strikes Back was shown before the start of the film.
All this time I had no knowledge of it closed until today I did a Google search. It was a great theater back in 2002 it had great prices for admission and I watched Spirit Stallion Of The Cimarron on the HUGE screen with an old fashioned BIG red curtain that opened up to show the movie. Bring it back!
I miss this place. Never cared for those rocker chairs in the back, but everything else there was a deal. The men’s bathroom still had that trough instead of urinals…
used to take my sons there sats and sundays, a real good price and usually 2 or 3 recent films…a real bargain in the late 1980’s..we could afford it…big popcorn and sodas with free refills…always had a good time there…
Price is $1.15 million. Theater is 7,130 sq feet. You can see some pictures of the interior and exterior here. It’s a single screen. Very nice, but again, you have to come up with about $10,000 a month just to cover the loan/mortgage, etc.
The Vogue Theatre in Chula Vista is for sale.
Please contact Carey Pastor of Coldwell Banker Commercial for details
(951) 252-9027.
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://snipurl.com/gjyts
News item from April 2007. It doesn’t appear that the Vogue has reopened as of yet.
The historic Vogue Theatre, a 7,130-square-foot retail building at 226-230 Third Ave., in Chula Vista 91910, has been sold for $1.45 million.
The sign still says “Coming soon – the New Vogue”, and the windows are covered over with paper…but I haven’t really seen any activity going on there. Maybe I can check with the chamber of Commerce or the city fathers…
It would be great to have it back.
Ysterday, May3, Iwas driving past the Vogue, and saw a banner on both sides of the marquee: Coming soon the New Vogue.
Will we be able to see films, once again, in this historic theater?
Here is an undated photo from the Chula Vista Library:
http://tinyurl.com/jdpv7
“A tip of the Hatlo hat,” as they used to say ‘way back when, Lost Memory. Very large thanks for finding the closing marquee pic, plus a link to the U-T story in its entirety!
My friend, who used to be deeply involved in community theater activities, told me that OnStage Productions tried numerous times to lease space there (unsuccessfully), as their miniscule playhouse nearby on Third barely seats 100 attendees. Perhaps they’ll have better luck, depending on future plans of the Vogue’s new owners.
In an article dated Saturday, 7-22-06, by San Diego Union-Tribune staff writer Tanya Mannes, the Vogue has closed its doors after 60 years of continous operation in downtown Chula Vista. Owners Bill and Esther Upham sold the property for $1.55 million after struggling to break even for several years as a single-screen venue. (The buyer was not identified because the sale hasn’t closed yet, and there is no info regarding future plans for the theater.)
Mannes' story featured some nostalgic memories of local residents. The landmark was a favorite and will be missed. Everyone seemed to love its special blend of “perfect popcorn.”
It was mentioned that the Vogue was built by Thomas Huntington in 1945. (He may not have been the architect listed in the credits above.)
Ticket price for the final triple bill last Thursday cost $3.50: “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” “Over the Hedge” and “Poseidon.” (Fewer than 50 people attended.)
On Friday, the marquee read: “Opened 1945, Closed 2006. That’s all, folks.”
[Sorta reminds me of the old Queen song, “Another One Bites the Dust.]
The Vogue Theatre was designed by San Diego architect Frank Hope, Jr. Begun in September 1944, it was not completed until January 1945 because of construction shortages during WWII. The Chula Vista Star-News produced a program listing the opening film – Tomorrow is Forever and ads congratulating the owner for building the theater. The program is in the John Rojas Local History Room in the Chula Vista Public Library – Civic Center Branch. I was the local history librarian who found the program. Susan Painter