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: 99 Cents Only Stores, Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, Berkeley architecture, Berkeley Historical Society, Berkeley history, Betty Marvin, How quirky is Berkeley?, Movies, Quirky Berkeley, Romain Meffre, San Pablo Avenue, Theater in Berkeley, Tom Dalzell, Yves Marchand