Historic Sunset Theatre Faces Final Curtain as Demolition Looms

Aug 25

The curtain may be falling for the final time on Lodi's beloved Sunset Theatre, as demolition expert Marty Thorpe prepares to tear down the 75-year-old landmark to make way for a 44-unit senior housing development[1][7]. The iconic movie house at West Lodi Avenue and Fairmont Street, which opened with fanfare on January 20, 1950, has become the center of a preservation battle that has captured the attention of community members who grew up in its red velvet seats[1][2].

Update from Wes Bowers of Lodi News Sentinel published August 26,2025 is available here

A Grand Beginning

The Sunset Theatre opened its doors with all the pomp and circumstance befitting "California's most modern motion picture house"[1]. Designed by San Francisco architect Albert H. Larsen in the Streamline Moderne style, the $150,000 theater was one of only three identical venues, alongside the Ritz Theatre in Hayward and the Tower Theatre in Willows[1][5]. The grand opening featured John Wayne's "Sands of Iwo Jima," drawing over 2,000 people to witness the spectacle[1][5].

The celebration included a Marine color guard, Lodi Union High School marching band, and a 14-ton amphibious tractor displayed in front of the theater[1]. Mayor Robert H. Rinn ceremoniously cut a ribbon made of motion picture film to officially open the venue, while congratulatory telegrams arrived from John Wayne and Forrest Tucker[1][5].

Ownership Through the Decades

The theater's history is closely tied to T & D Jr. Enterprises, which dominated Lodi's entertainment landscape for decades[1][6]. The company, which also operated the downtown Lodi Theatre and State Theater, recognized the post-war shift toward suburban development and automobile culture when they chose to build the Sunset away from downtown[1].

Construction began on November 1, 1948, next to the Sunset Market parking lot, positioning the theater to serve Lodi's growing western neighborhoods[1]. The venue featured 1,000 comfortable seats with unobstructed views, state-of-the-art E7 Simplex projection equipment, and acoustic plaster treatment for enhanced sound quality[1].

For more than a decade, Lodi boasted three movie theaters, with the Sunset and downtown Lodi Theatre showing first-run films while the State specialized in westerns and foreign films[1]. However, by the early 1960s, the downtown theaters began to close. The State converted to a dance hall in 1961, and fire destroyed the Lodi Theatre in 1962, leaving the Sunset as the city's sole surviving cinema[1].

Notable Events and Cultural Impact

The Sunset Theatre served as more than just a movie house—it was Lodi's premier entertainment venue and community gathering place[11]. Local residents recall memorable experiences, from watching "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at midnight screenings complete with audience participation to celebrating movie premieres and special events[2].

The theater's distinctive vertical marquee and large rectangular sign became iconic fixtures along Lodi Avenue, serving as a landmark for generations of residents[1]. The venue hosted first dates, family outings, and community celebrations, creating lasting memories that residents continue to share on social media as news of the potential demolition spreads[5].

The Final Act

The Sunset Theatre closed its doors in 1998 when the owner failed to make mortgage payments, with "Titanic" marking the final major film screening[1][5]. The building sat vacant for over two decades, becoming increasingly deteriorated and vandalized[4].

In 2020, Terry Clark, a former pest control company owner turned vintage theater renovator, purchased the property with ambitious plans to transform it into an entertainment hub[4][7][11]. Clark spent millions gutting the interior and demolishing the adjacent Alexander Bakery, intending to create a swank events center for concerts, weddings, and receptions[7][11].

During renovations, workers discovered a remarkable piece of history—a pristine red wallet lost for nearly 60 years[4]. Clark tracked down the original owner and returned it, creating a heartwarming story that added to the theater's rich legacy[4].

Preservation Efforts and Recognition

The theater's historical significance received national recognition in February 2021 when the National Park Service added it to the National Register of Historic Places[1][11]. Lodi Historical Society director Lisa Craig submitted the application, noting that the Sunset represents one of only a handful of mid-century modern theaters constructed around 1950, and the only one of its kind listed in California[11].

However, Clark's renovation efforts stalled in February 2023 due to personal reasons, despite his substantial investment in the project[4][7]. By December 2023, he announced his intention to sell the building, which was finalized on Thanksgiving 2024 to an unnamed trust[4].

Current Demolition Plans

Realtor Karen Chandler of Bokides Hesseltine Real Estate Company handled the recent sale to developers who have submitted a demolition application to the City of Lodi[7]. The proposed development calls for a two-story, market-rate senior housing complex with 44 units and a clubhouse, to be built in three phases[7].

While the city has received the demolition application, final approval is still pending[2]. The project represents the complete transformation of the historic corner, where both the theater and former Alexander Bakery will be replaced with modern senior housing[7].

Community Response and Opposition

The demolition plans have sparked passionate responses from longtime Lodi residents who view the theater as an irreplaceable piece of their city's history[2][5]. Teresa Venerable, who was "raised in that theater," expressed shock at the demolition news, stating, "It's a historical building. I mean, it should be some type of club or some type of people to hang out like it used to be, because there are hardly any hangouts in this town anymore"[5].

Community members have shared memories ranging from childhood movie experiences to teenage adventures, with many describing formative moments that occurred within the theater's walls[2]. Ralph Clark recalled watching the premiere of Michael Keaton's "Batman" and seeing "Indiana Jones" with friends, emphasizing the theater's role in creating lasting childhood memories[2].

However, not all residents oppose the demolition. Some community members view the vacant, deteriorated building as an eyesore that has detracted from the neighborhood for over two decades[5].

Salvage Efforts

While the building itself faces demolition, efforts are underway to preserve elements of its historic character. Chandler reports that the iconic vertical marquee letters will be saved and potentially relocated to the World of Wonders Science Museum in downtown Lodi[7]. Though the snack bar was deemed unsalvageable, preserving the marquee would maintain a tangible connection to the theater's legacy[7].

Local historians continue advocating for preservation solutions, hoping to work with developers to save additional architectural elements beyond just the marquee[2]. Their efforts reflect a broader community desire to maintain connections to Lodi's cultural heritage even as development pressures mount.

The Development Perspective

The senior housing development represents a practical response to Lodi's aging population and housing needs. The market-rate project would provide 44 units specifically designed for seniors, addressing demographic changes in the community[7]. Some residents, while mourning the theater's loss, acknowledge the value of providing housing for elderly residents[2].

The development's three-phase construction plan suggests a substantial investment in the property, with the developers apparently confident in the project's viability despite community opposition[7]. The unnamed trust that purchased the property has remained largely silent about their specific plans and timeline[4].

Looking Forward

As demolition contractor Marty Thorpe prepares to begin work "in about a month or so," the Sunset Theatre's story appears to be approaching its final chapter[7]. The building that once represented the pinnacle of modern entertainment technology and served as Lodi's primary gathering place for over four decades will soon give way to contemporary senior housing[7].

The theater's transformation from community centerpiece to abandoned eyesore to proposed demolition site reflects broader changes in American urban development and entertainment culture. Drive-in theaters, multiplexes, and streaming services have fundamentally altered how communities experience movies and entertainment, leaving vintage single-screen theaters like the Sunset as nostalgic reminders of a different era.

Whether the community's preservation efforts can influence the final outcome remains uncertain as city officials weigh the demolition application. For now, the Sunset Theatre stands as a symbol of both cherished memories and the inevitable march of progress, its fate serving as a microcosm of preservation challenges facing historic buildings across America.

The story of Lodi's Sunset Theatre—from its grand 1950 opening to its current demolition threat—captures the complex relationship between progress and preservation that defines many American communities. While the building may not survive, its legacy as a place where generations of Lodi residents created lasting memories ensures that its story will endure long after the final curtain call.

References

LodiDevelopment

Don Bradford