The only remaining building is the Strand Theater, which is now the Loan USA pawn shop.
SQUIRT_TRUTHERsays
Awful
KillroysGhostsays
Wow this really bums me out. What was the reason?
CandiedHorrorsays
This reminds me of Broadway in Lorain Oh. It’s never been the same since the Steelmill shut down. It’s sad when things like this happen.
Fetty_is_the_bestsays
Almost downvoted because this is so disgusting and sad. Ouch.
tlit2k1says
God why is every street in the US so wide you could put a block of shops, houses, a small sports stadium, an international airport and a few Monaco’s inside them.
thinkB4WeSpeaksays
Could have repurposed all those buildings. I think looking at all the nice buildings we’ve lost shows how important historical restoration is.
PaulHamansays
This is cool to see. I used to work in Lawrence at Showcase Cinemas. The theater was first built in the 1960s as a large 2-screen theater (about 2000 seats total). It was built on the edge of town adjacent to the freeway and neighboring Andover, probably to try and attract a wealthier clientele since the downtown theaters were in decline, or maybe building this theater contributed to that decline. I don’t know which.
The 2 auditoriums were at some point split down the middle, creating 4 long ones, then an additional 4-plex was built across the street in the early 80s, soon after expanding to a 6-plex. So there was Showcase 1-4 and 5-10 for a long time. Then about 20 years ago, both theaters were renovated/reconfigured to add stadium seating. 1-4 became 1-6 (by re-carving the original husk on the sides rather than lengthwise), then 5-10 became 7-14 with 2 large new auditoriums added. Around the time of this renovation, a new 20-screen theater from a competing chain opened in neighboring Methuen, and business in Lawrence began to dry up.
Both Lawrence theaters closed a few years ago, and the original 60s building was torn down to make way for an animal hospital. The 7-14 building is still there. The last time it was used as far as I know was for a film shoot (Daddy’s Home 2).
GLADismesays
Not a trace of originality or culture left, just endless stripmalls…
AdLegitimate1657 says
The only remaining building is the Strand Theater, which is now the Loan USA pawn shop.
SQUIRT_TRUTHER says
Awful
KillroysGhost says
Wow this really bums me out. What was the reason?
CandiedHorror says
This reminds me of Broadway in Lorain Oh. It’s never been the same since the Steelmill shut down. It’s sad when things like this happen.
Fetty_is_the_best says
Almost downvoted because this is so disgusting and sad. Ouch.
tlit2k1 says
God why is every street in the US so wide you could put a block of shops, houses, a small sports stadium, an international airport and a few Monaco’s inside them.
thinkB4WeSpeak says
Could have repurposed all those buildings. I think looking at all the nice buildings we’ve lost shows how important historical restoration is.
PaulHaman says
This is cool to see. I used to work in Lawrence at Showcase Cinemas. The theater was first built in the 1960s as a large 2-screen theater (about 2000 seats total). It was built on the edge of town adjacent to the freeway and neighboring Andover, probably to try and attract a wealthier clientele since the downtown theaters were in decline, or maybe building this theater contributed to that decline. I don’t know which.
The 2 auditoriums were at some point split down the middle, creating 4 long ones, then an additional 4-plex was built across the street in the early 80s, soon after expanding to a 6-plex. So there was Showcase 1-4 and 5-10 for a long time. Then about 20 years ago, both theaters were renovated/reconfigured to add stadium seating. 1-4 became 1-6 (by re-carving the original husk on the sides rather than lengthwise), then 5-10 became 7-14 with 2 large new auditoriums added. Around the time of this renovation, a new 20-screen theater from a competing chain opened in neighboring Methuen, and business in Lawrence began to dry up.
Both Lawrence theaters closed a few years ago, and the original 60s building was torn down to make way for an animal hospital. The 7-14 building is still there. The last time it was used as far as I know was for a film shoot (Daddy’s Home 2).
GLADisme says
Not a trace of originality or culture left, just endless stripmalls…
The American way!