Like a grand “Welcome Sign” in the heart of the Five Points neighborhood, the marquee at the Rialto Theatre has been a staple of this Raleigh neighborhood since 1942.
Rialto Theatre is part of Ambassador Entertainment, Inc and is one of two theaters they have in Raleigh. Rialto Theatre is located in the Five Points neighborhood, close to the Rich Realty Group office and the border of Anderson Heights. The Rialto is the oldest movie theatre in Raleigh and has been a part of the fabric of the neighborhood for nearly 80 years!
For generations, families have brought their children and loved ones to the Rialto to enjoy classic movies and popcorn and candy in a familiar setting. This theatre has provided so many warm memories, and has been cherished by the Raleigh community for a very long time for its dedication to showing great cinema and the family atmosphere they’ve managed to maintain almost a century.
In addition to being a great space for the neighborhood to gather for date night or a family get-together, the theatre is also known for its clever and cheeky marquee. Every week through the pandemic, the owners have continued to provide us with entertainment by displaying a fun, new movie quote or phrase on the marquee for passersby who drive or walk through the busy intersection of Glenwood and Fairview in Five Points. Some of the best phrases from the Rialto’s “Marquee Madness” include:
Unlike many of the small businesses we love to support in Raleigh, the Rialto has remained closed to the public since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March. Since then, the theatre has stayed positive, continuing to entertain the people of Five Points with its Marquee Madness and by providing Popcorn Pickups for your at-home movie-watching enjoyment. Popcorn fanatics can schedule a pickup of 46 ounces, 86 ounces, or a giant 30-gallon bag for $20!
The latest projection is that the theatre will remained closed until at least mid-September, which would mark exactly six months that they’ve kept their doors closed.
We look forward to the day when we can all enjoy a 30 gallon bag of popcorn and a showing of a classic movie. Until then, we’ll do our best to continue supporting this local cinema institution and one of the longest-running businesses in Raleigh!
Do you have suggestions for a local small business we can spotlight? Send your suggestions to Marshall@richrealtygroup.com and remember “It’s a great day to buy real estate!”
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