History of the San Marco Theatre
Designed by prominent architect Roy A. Benjamin (1887 – 1963), the Art Deco style theatre opened as a Sparks Theatre on June 5, 1938, showing "A Slight Case of Murder" with Edward G. Robinson and Jane Bryan, followed by "Hopalong Rides Again," starring William Boyd. Benjamin was a well regarded architect of theatres in the southeast including the historic Florida Theatre (with R.E. Hall), in Jacksonville, and many others. The theatre welcomed generations of movie-goers over the decades and holds a special place in the hearts of all who fondly remember enjoying snacks, beer and wine from the concessions and bumping into friends from the neighborhood on any given night while catching the latest release on the big screen.
The building, located at 1996 San Marco Boulevard, operated continuously as a movie theatre until December 2022. Prior to that, the theatre was owned and operated for 23 years by David Blue who did extensive interior renovations and improvements to the projection equipment, seating and menu offerings while keeping the theatre's historic design inside and out. After Blue sold the business in 2019, the theatre continued operations before the Covid pandemic and its aftermath permanently shuttered the theatre in 2022. At that time the building was sold to TSG Realty, who transformed the interior including removal of the screen and seating, while maintaining the historic exterior Art Deco façade.
TSG Realty sought a new tenant for the building and San Marco resident and chef / restaurateur, Tom Gray, with the support of local investors stepped up to take on the challenge to bring new life to the space and return community access to the building as a family-friendly restaurant, Electric Dough Pizza Co. The restaurant started service on June 11, 2025, almost exactly 87 years to the day as the first movie showing in the theatre.
To learn more about the San Marco Theatre's history and architect Roy A. Benjamin, visit these sites:
- Wikipedia – Roy A. Benjamin
- Arbus Magazine – Roy A. Benjamin, Master of Style by Wayne Wood, May 3, 2024
- Cinema Treasures – San Marco Theatre (including photo archives)
- FSCJ - Digitized newsreel of the opening day of the San Marco Movie Theatre, June 4, 1938.