Bay Theatre Closes But Hopefully Not for Good

Let's say you wanted to take in a movie at the historic Bay Theatre this weekend past.

You'd go to the baytheatre.com website, see the address is 340 Main St., Seal Beach, and that general admission for adults is $10.

But click on the tab for what's playing, and a most unwelcome sight comes back at you, as you'll see after the jump . . .


That's right, the landmark at PCH and Main Street is closed.

But fear not, fans of old movie palaces struggling to survive in an era of mega-plexes. The page copied above does mention a "re-opening," as does the recorded Bay Theatre telephone message, which describes what is happening now as a "temporary" closure.

The 66-year-old venue has rolled with the financial punches over the years, with owner Rena Singer having put it up for sale for a reported $3.3 million in 2008. That sparked a move by the city and preservationists to save one of the last locations the Fox West Coast chain built, way back in 1946.

Unfortunately, getting funds to match that civic enthusiasm has been tough.

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