Sayonara to the old Lorraine Theater

In high school, some friends and I would ride our bikes to Bayhead beach to swim and eat something sweet at the "Shopper's Wharf". I reminisce of this place because it is to be demolished soon on an unannounced date.  Before I was born it was something else that most people don't know about.. a strange and interesting little historic movie theater.  The true locals of the area recount that the Lorraine Theater as a total dump but people still loved to go there.  At high tide, movie goers would expect the water to up to their knees as they enjoyed the show.

This is how it is today.. totally ripped out from Superstorm Sandy.  The first thing I saw as I approached Bayhead after the storm was the ramp into the old theater in the middle of the Avenue.

Although personal accounts claim it was only 10 cents to watch a movie and reeked of mold, it stayed in business from the '30s to the late 70's.  I wish I knew more about it before it's knocked down.  Bridge Avenue in Bayhead is going to look like a grin with a missing tooth.  How strange it'll be to drive to work and have a wide, open view of the lake. There are stranger sights in Ocean County these days between Mantoloking Road and all the demolished homes around the bay and Brick.  It seemed appropriate to post to inform the public of an under appreciated place that often provided smiles to generations of youth, couples who went on their first dates, and gave local artisans a place to sell their goods. Lots of little businesses had their start here and I wanted to pay tribute to this place.