Built in 1925 for vaudeville and silent movies, the Ritz boasted an orchestra pit, stage, dressing areas and an organ. The orchestra pit, covered by a false floor years ago, is waiting to be rediscovered. Originally known as the Williamson Theatre in the Beymer-Mann building, it was a gathering place for civic organizations. The theater hosted live shows and movies, at first silent and then “talkies.” In addition, some of Winter

Haven’s most prominent gentlemen cavorted as ladies in the “Mr. Winter Haven” pageants held in the early years of the theatre.

From 1932, when it was first remodeled, through the 1980s, the theater was called the Ritz. During that time the very first Publix Supermarket was opened a half block down Central Avenue. Generations of Central Florida residents acquired memories at the Ritz, watching cartoons on Saturday mornings or stealing their first kiss in the balcony on Saturday night. “Easy To Love,” starring Esther Williams and Van Johnson and filmed at nearby Cypress Gardens, was shown at the theater in the middle ‘50s. That was a time when a child could enjoy cartoons and popcorn for a quarter, and a teenager with high school I.D. could get in to the feature presentation for 15 cents.

The effects of age and the coming of multi-screen theaters caused the Ritz to go unused for a time before it reopened in 1989 as “Off Limits,” a teen dance club. The new owners removed the theater seating and installed tiered flooring to accommodate dancing and tables. Within a few years, in spite of large crowds of young people dancing to recorded music and cheering live performers such as M.C. Hammer, “Off Limits” closed its doors. The building stood vacant and unused until a group of concerned citizens formed a non-profit corporation, The Ritz Theatre 100, and purchased the building in 1997.

A marketing feasibility study has since revealed Winter Haven’s critical need for a multi-purpose venue capable of handling meetings for civic organizations, fund raising events, dance and music productions, movies, weddings, private parties, and a whole host of other functions. Ironically, the feasibility study architect has recommended retaining tiered floors but restoring the stage and orchestra pit. With this configuration, the Ritz can once again become the social gathering place it once was.