Former Rivoli Theatre, 1941 San Pablo Ave. in Berkeley. Photo: John Storey
I venture to say that most people who have driven by the 99¢ Only Stores on San Pablo Avenue just north of University Avenue have never stopped and gone inside. I further venture to say that most people who have shopped at the 99¢ Only Stores have never stopped and looked up. Those who stop and those who look up are in for a quirky treat.
The 99¢ Only Stores at 1941 San Pablo is the former home of the Rivoli Theatre, built in 1924-1925. It seated 1,402 and changed shows four times a week. As a result of changing movie-going habits, the Rivoli first limited screenings to weekends, then closed as a movie theater in the 1950s. Since then, it has been a Long’s Drugs, a Smart and Final grocery store, and now – a 99¢ Only Store.(...)
Read the rest of How Quirky is Berkeley? The former Rivoli Theatre (495 words)
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Post tags: 1941 San Pablo Avenue, 99 Cents Only Stores, Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, Berkeley architecture, Berkeley Historical Society, Berkeley history, Betty Marvin, Historical movie theaters, Rivoli Theater, Romain Meffre, Yves Marchand