HERMOSA BEACH : Repair Costs May End Theater’s 72-Year Run

Joseph Naughton is no longer sure that if he rebuilds his movie theater, people will come.

Naughton, owner of the Hermosa Beach building that houses the Bijou Theater, was recently informed that he must retrofit part of the structure to meet state earthquake requirements.

Because repairs to the 72-year-old building will be costly and business has been slow lately, Naughton said, he is not yet sure what he will do with the site. He and city leaders have discussed leveling the auditorium and replacing it with a parking structure.

Rumors that the theater could be destroyed drew the Hermosa Beach Historical Society into the discussion.

“The Bijou Theater is one of our landmarks in Hermosa Beach,” said Regina Taylor, Historical Society president. “It has a lot of significance to the cultural and social life of our residents.”

Naughton said he plans to keep the front section of the building but has not decided what to do with the auditorium, which needs the most work. He is waiting for a cost estimate on the repairs.

The Historical Society has encouraged Naughton to take advantage of the Mills Act, a state law that allows a city or county to enter into a contract with the owner of a landmark property to reduce taxes based on the cost of repairs.

Although the Bijou has not officially been declared a historical site, the city considers it a cultural landmark.

Naughton says he will begin repairs to the structure to buy more time to make a decision. He is also looking into the possibility of trading the auditorium site to the city for another piece of land.