Rialto Theatre
319 Trenton Street,
West Monroe,
LA
71291
319 Trenton Street,
West Monroe,
LA
71291
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The Rialto Theatre was opened in 1930, but closed due to insolvency in 1932. It re-opened in 1934 and operated into at least the early-1950’s. The theatre had a balcony for Afican-American patrons.
After closing the building was converted into an antique mall. By early-2024 it was a bridal wear store.
Contributed by
Howard Jackson
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Additional history courtesy If you grew up on the southside of Monroe, La Facebook page.
“Ronald Siegle opened a movie theater in this building in 1930, but closed the theater in 1932 and went bankrupt the following year. The 450-seat reopened in 1934 as the Rialto and later became part of a small chain of movie theaters operated my West Monroe resident Joseph M. Heard. Like other movie theaters in Louisiana the Rialto was racially segregated until the mid-1960’s. Only whites were permitted to enter through the main lobby and sit in seats on the main floor of the theater. African-Americans were required to enter through the side door that led directly to the balcony. The ticket booth that remains inside the building, has separate windows for the main lobby and the aide stairs to the balcony.”
Closed in 1973 and reopened or placed its first ad on April 6th, 1976 as the Capri theatre. Small ad posted.
Current tenant is Blush by Sadie C’s, a bridal and formal wear clothing store.