Roxy Theatre
101 W. Kennewick Avenue,
Kennewick,
WA
99336
101 W. Kennewick Avenue,
Kennewick,
WA
99336
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Mercy Theaters, Midstate Amusement Corp.
Architects: F.A. Swingle
Functions: Retail
Styles: Egyptian, Mission Revival
Previous Names: Liberty Theatre, New Liberty Theatre, Mercy's Roxy Theatre
Nearby Theaters
This theater was originally the Liberty Theatre, and was located in the Murphy Building, constructed 1920 with the theatre opening on July 3, 1920 with William S. Hart in “The Tollgate”. Following a facelift, it reopened on September 9, 1927 as the New Liberty Theatre with Reginald Denny in “Out All Night”. It had been given an Egyptian style interior and a Wurlitzer organ had been installed, opened by organist Mrs A.G. Curran.
On April 8, 1939 it was renamed Mercy’s Roxy Theatre having been equipped with a Vitograph sound system. It was operated Edgar P. Mercy’s circuit. It was later operated by Midstate Amusements Corp. The marquee and blade are gone, as are some architectural flourishes along the roof, but the building has been freshly restored, and the hideous metal façade removed.
It closed on June 16, 1956 with the documentary “Skabenga” (aka “The Killer Lust”) & Howard Duff in “Blackjack Ketchum, Desperado”. The building was then use for special screenings and special events which ended in 1961. Currently the façade is a simple plaster box with brick trim and attractive, small, round windows along the top.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
This is a article about The Roxy Theatre posted today on the Tri-City Herald…. Kennewick’s Ivory Jazz closing its doors … a jazz club, which is the current tenant of the old Roxy Theatre.
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The current owner of the Roxy Theatre is Rick Eaton.
This was an Alliance Theaters house in 1947.
It is currently the Roxy Theater Antiques & Gifts owned by Ann Steiger, according to their website. The site also states the Roxy stopped showing movies in 1957. It was a men & women’s clothing store in the early 1960’s before becoming a furniture store, and back to clothing. Apparently the theater logo is at the entrance of the current store on the tile floor.
One reason why this theater had a name change from Liberty to the Roxy was because Mercy Theaters (who originally opened it) would call many of their first-run movie theaters the Liberty. Second run theaters would be called the Roxy.
1960 photo added credit Vintage Tri-Cities Facebook page.
Opened on July 3, 1920 as Liberty, renamed Roxy in April 1939, closed in early 1953.
Opening ad posted as the Liberty on July 3, 1920 with Wm S. Hart if “The Tollgate” supported by “One Night in June” and “The Garage.” Frederick Mercy, Jr. gave the venue its first major facelift reopening for Junior Theaters (predecessor name of Mercy) as the “New” Liberty on September 9, 1927. That New Liberty update brought an Egyptian themed interior and upgraded presentations by replacing the DeLuxe Photoplayer instrument with a Wurlitzer organ. That reopening feature Mrs. A.G. Curran at the Wurlitzer console with Reginal Denny in “Out All Night.”
On October 13, 1929, the venue installed Vitagraph for souind films to remain viable. Edgar B. Mercy’s circuit rebranded as Mercy’s Roxy Theatre opening formally a day after a talent show on April 8, 1939 with “Torchy Blaine in Chinatown” and “The Mysterious Rider.” Final showtimes were “Skabenga” and “Black Jack Ketchum” on June 16, 1956. Merchant screenings and sporadic events continue through 1961.