JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After nearly 13 years in the Five Points neighborhood, the Sun-Ray Cinema will close its doors after two final movies on Saturday night.
This theater was filled with people as they bought popcorn, took photos, and watched the last films played there.
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Union South Partners recently bought the building and did not renew the lease of the Sun-Ray after it expired. The new ownership said it plans to preserve “the theater’s historic fabric” and keep the building’s existing elements intact.
The owners said they want the theater to remain an entertainment destination in the area.
“What attracted us to Jacksonville and specifically to Riverside and Five Points is that it offers a genuine, authentic neighborhood experience with a thriving, live-work-play destination,” said Jay Weaver, a founding partner of Union South Partners. “The Five Points Theater building has played an iconic role in helping shape this neighborhood during the past century, and we intend to keep its historic roots as an entertainment and retail complex intact.”
The theater originally opened in 1927 as the Riverside Theatre and was the first theater in Florida to show films with sound, also known as Talkies. It closed and reopened several times before officially closing in the 1970s.
People like Zane Hall are sad to see the theater closing.
“It’s just the start of a new chapter,” Hall said. “I’m sure they’ll find a new location here soon and there’ll be more sunrise soon.”
Susie Klemmt talked about what she’ll miss the most about the theater.
“So many things just because their food is really good, popcorn, pizzas, just can’t get them anywhere else,” Klemmt said. “Why do we live in a sad day for the City of Jacksonville?”
Since then, there have been several other uses for the theater, including a live acting theater and a live music venue before transitioning back into a movie theater with the opening of the Sun-Ray in 2011.
The final two movies playing are “Thelma” at 6:30 p.m. and “Everything Terrible Presents… Doggiewoggiez! Poochiewoochiez!” at 7 p.m. Both showings are sold out.