Final curtain for Olde Walkerville Theatre? Current owner saying goodbye to historic space
The Olde Walkerville Theatre in Windsor, with a history spanning more than 100 years, is expected to close by the end of the year.
Owner Mary Lambros, nearing her 70th birthday, said she’s ready to move on and start a new chapter in her life.
“I need one less thing in my life right now. The theater, unfortunately, is a thing I choose to unload,” said Lambros, adding she no longer wants to manage events or handle the demanding schedule that comes with running the Olde Walkerville Theatre.
Designed by C. Howard Crane, the same architect behind Detroit’s Fox Theatre, the Olde Walkerville Theatre opened on Sept. 20, 1920.
Initially, it hosted silent films and vaudeville acts, though local laws prohibited movies on Sundays in Walkerville. The building was unique, straddling the border between Windsor and Walkerville and allowing audiences from either side to attend.
In the late 1920s, as sound films gained popularity, vaudeville acts declined, and the theatre shifted its focus to cinema.
The Windsor Light Opera Association briefly revived live performances in 1959, but the theatre ultimately returned to showing movies as “The Tiv” until closing in 1965.
Over the decades, the space found various uses, including as a bingo hall, community music and dance studio, and briefly as a nightclub.
In 2013, Andy and Mary Lambros bought the building, transforming it into a venue for events and musical performances.
“The theater is an absolute gem for the city. It’s one of the oldest theaters in southwest Ontario,” said Lambros.
After a show by Tragically Hip tribute band “GRACE, 2” last Saturday, a graphic appeared announcing that the Olde Walkerville Theatre would permanently close on Dec. 1, 2024.
Lambros said artists in the city have voiced concern over the gap the theatre’s closure will leave.
“We have so many tribute bands and talent in the area that want to do things here. We’ve had a Paul Murray art display. We did Christmas at the theater. We had Santa Claus. We’ve done shows for the need that we made available for free,” said Lambros.
“I’ve done a lot of charity work there, and it’s the perfect venue for that. If someone were to run it full-time, they’d be so busy.”
Mario Ricci, a technical crew member who has worked at the theatre since the Lambroses took over 11 years ago, recalled the early days.
“I remember there was no equipment whatsoever. Mary bought a sound system, we put in a lighting rig, and we turned it into a fully functional theatre,” said Ricci.
When asked about his most memorable shows, Ricci highlighted the many tribute acts that have performed there.
“We had a Rush tribute band, and I brought in a real big sound system. It was like peel-the-skin-off-your-face loud,” said Ricci.
“I’m a Pink Floyd nut and I’ve done five or six Pink Floyd tribute shows there where it would take three to four weeks just to set up the lights. That’s how big the production was for those shows.”
The theatre has also hosted national acts, including a 2016 show by Simple Plan, which drew an 800-person standing crowd, along with performances by the Tea Party and the Blue Stones.
“We’ve also had a lot of weddings and fundraisers there. But, obviously, concerts were the big thing,” said Ricci, noting that the Olde Walkerville Theatre has a more “homey” feel compared to the Chrysler Theatre and Capitol Theatre.
“I think it’ll leave a huge gap, not just in the art scene, but also in the availability for people to host fundraisers and for new acts to emerge.”
As for Lambros, who lost her husband three years ago, her plan is to sell the theatre as-is to the highest bidder.
The final show under Lambros’s ownership will be on Nov. 30, featuring a U2 tribute band.
Lambros aims to have the theatre at 1564 Wyandotte Street East sold by Feb. 2025.
The new owner will decide whether to continue the theatre’s legacy or repurpose the space.
“I will make everything available. We own all our own production, lighting, equipment inside the building, the chairs, the tables — all that stuff will go with the sale. It’ll be turnkey ready,” she said.
“So somebody could just turn around and start running it right away. I’m ready whichever way it goes.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
Ontario dad removes hockey rink at heart of neighbour dispute
A Markham dad who drew the ire of neighbours and the city after installing a hockey rink in his backyard says the rink has now been taken down.
Kingston, Ont. doctor in 'disbelief' after being ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages, says otherwise there will be 'HELL TO PAY'
President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY."
Motivated by obsession: Canadians accused in botched California murder plot in police custody
Two Canadians are in police custody in Monterey County, California, after a triple stabbing police say was motivated by a B.C. man's obsession with a woman he played video games with online.
AC/DC reveals 2025 North American tour. This Canadian city is the only one to make the cut
Big news for AC/DC fans as the heavy metal bigwigs announced Monday they will hit the road next spring. But as of now, there’s only one Canadian show on the docket.
Belly fat linked to signs of Alzheimer’s 20 years before symptoms begin, study says
As the size of a person’s belly grows, the memory centre of their brain shrinks and beta amyloid and tau may appear — all of this occurring as early as a person’s 40s and 50s, well before any cognitive decline is apparent, according to new research.
More RCMP and CBSA ‘human resources’ destined for border, Public Safety Minister LeBlanc says
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the federal government will 'absolutely' be adding more Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and RCMP ‘human resources’ at the border.