file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD — In a surprising turn, members of the Ridgewood Village Council are moving forward with a plan to purchase the former Warner Theater property, located at 190 East Ridgewood Avenue, a landmark building in the heart of downtown.
A public discussion regarding a proposed “down payment” toward the acquisition has been added to the agenda for the upcoming Village Council Work Session on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Key questions remain unanswered — most notably whether the Village plans to purchase only the theater space itself, or if the deal would include all of the retail storefronts housed within the same building. Those stores currently generate roughly $116,000 annually in property taxes, prompting concern among residents that the move could remove a sizable commercial asset from the tax rolls.
💬 Community Reaction
The news quickly sparked strong opinions online:
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One Facebook poster speculated that the move is timed politically, writing:
“This is to distract people from the Kensington project… Perfect timing by the crooks.” -
Another resident questioned the financial impact:
“Are we about to lose $116,000 in taxes to become landlords?” -
And others were simply stunned:
“Well that popped up out of nowhere. Now we are becoming landlords? Interested for more information…”
🎭 Background: The Warner Theater
Built in 1931 and once a thriving movie palace, the Warner Theater remains one of Ridgewood’s most recognizable architectural gems. It last operated as a Bow Tie Cinema before closing in 2021 and has since sat unused — sparking frequent calls to preserve it as a future arts and cultural center.
📅 What’s Next?
Residents eager to weigh in are encouraged to attend or tune into the August 6th Council Work Session, where officials are expected to outline details of the proposal and funding plan.
Stay tuned as more information becomes available — including cost, scope, and potential impacts to downtown taxes, parking, and development goals.
👉 Would you support the Village purchasing the Warner Theater for public use? Or should it remain in private hands? Let us know in the comments!
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The village seems to do all its major business in August. While the cat’s away…
The property (190 East Ridgewood Avenue) is showing as “no longer available” on LoopNet and RIPCO’s web sites.
How much asbestos do we think is in a 90 year old building?
Who cares about asbestos when Ridgewood plans on covering acres with artificial turf with PFAS forever chemicals and other toxins because playing outside is so important. Its only our health that is at stake.
far more discourse on this blog than in front of the council
what no hala-booby post “Ridgewood works “, where did all the kiss ups go?
Can’t imagine what Peewee has in mind for this site….
strip club
Halfway House for first-time felons
He’ll have his “casting couch.”
This would be an ideal spot for a “Ridgewood Youth Sports Hall of Fame.”
Scott can even wear his cool baseball costume and be an official greeter.
Post of the day !
Be it a parking lot, a municipal building, baseball field bathroom facilities, or a former gas station, this Village has proven that it is a very poor developer and property manager. Before any monies are expended on this next white elephant, we should have a an accounting for past major capital expenditures outlining initial budget, final budget, and projected annual cost to the Village for each project. Why? Because so we can see how will history repeat itself. Whatever is planned for this purchase, there are excellent odds that the proclaimed costs and benefits will be very misleading.
Nonsense. Ridgewood has the best Engineer in the state. He doesn’t need equipment to test soil or check steel integrity…he has x-ray vision.
Oh don’t worry, Keith Kazshark has it all under control . Muhahahaha
How much is the price of this building.
It was last assessed at $4 million. The deed can be found in County Clerk Records…Book 1446, page 877.
No longer listed as an active sale or lease opportunity.
The Heathbarn Theater
Hahahaha. I was just going to say put Healthbarn there
Evan is the bond king. This will hardly cost anything.
Look the other way when the tax rate rises. Evan has something else to blame that on.
More tax revenue lost.
We all like to know how does the engineer still have a job. What a scam
let’s just leave it empty to rot, right? and while we’re at it the village should bring back the beautiful town garage on Franklin – you all miss that too, right?
How about leaving the marketplace to decide what happens?
You really want your local government–THIS clown council in particular–spending your tax dollars on development ventures?
No offense: you’re either a troll or very naive.
Sadly for you, neither a troll nor naive.
I like letting the market decide – however the market decided that the village garage should sit rotting for decades. . .so the local government intervened (and the previous owner was and is responsible for environmental remediation) so far its a win. The theater has been on the open market for how long with no takers?
not much room for discourse on this blog. . .
market deciding is not the government buying it
nice that you omitted all the scam-e stuff that went on to hold up the town garage property , i guess the envelopes were not fat enough
No need to worry about their spending. Village is banking on 8 million in delinquent taxes owed by Valley Hospital.
High density, low income housing.
village dummies just vote D , no thinking involved many even at Schedler voted for these dolts because of the big D
Re: the Town Garage. The previous owner did NOT agree to all remediation costs. They are paying initial costs with limited liability.
incorrect. . .but go on with your narrative.
just curious since everyone here hates this idea – what are your solutions to the vacant movie theater?
Village Council Ballroom
wineagrad is buddies with John Saraceno, he is the current councils sugar daddy ,he is who all the a$$ kissing is for