WATCH ABOVE: After learning the Roxy had been destroyed, many people used social media to express their sadness and to share memories of the venue. Emily Mertz explains.
EDMONTON – After close to eight decades in Edmonton, the Roxy Theatre could not be saved Tuesday when fire ripped through the building.
Crews were called to the theatre on 124 Street, near 107 Avenue just before 4 a.m., but the venue was engulfed in flames.
“There was a bit of a twinge this morning when I heard it was the Roxy,” said Deputy Chief Barry Lamb with Edmonton Fire Rescue. “It’s a big part of our city. It’s sad.”
READ MORE: Edmonton’s Roxy Theatre goes up in flames
The Roxy opened in 1938 as a movie theatre before being converted for live performances in 1989. The small venue could seat between 198 and 220 people, according to YEGLive.ca.
Other people expressed their sadness about the loss on social media. Many even shared memories of the venue.
Mourning the loss of the landmark #RoxyTheatre. @Theatre_Network is a key #yegarts institution and we’re here to help with recovery. #yegcc
— Don Iveson (@doniveson) January 13, 2015
“What tragic news to wake to hear that the Roxy Theatre burned down,” a long-time Edmonton resident said in an email to Global News.
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“We lived near the Roxy,” wrote Jean Greenough. “The Roxy Theatre was a fixture in our Saturdays. The neighbourhood kids were like lemmings heading off to the Saturday matinee. I can remember standing in line not being sure of which movie was on. It was just what you did on Saturdays, you went to the Roxy.
“Admission was 15 cents. Popcorn was sold in those regular red and white cardboard boxes for 10 cents or you could buy horseshoe suckers for five cents.
“I remember my mum and dad taking me to the Roxy to see Alastair Sim in The Christmas Carol,” shared Jean. “Years ago, a friend and I went together to buy a brick to support Theatre Network that is still there in the side walk in front of the Roxy. So sad…”
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