Dec. 28, 2007 at 12:29am

Rare Photos : Inside the *Mecca Theater* : Seating and Interior Intact

Most of us are aware of the great renovations occuring at the Mecca Theater on Broadway.  Yet, how many of us have actually been inside?

Few will likely admit to it.



Here's the Mecca with the signs still intact.  Nothing exclaims seediness like an adult theater in the area.

Below are some rare photos I found from a defunct web page.  Photographer unknown.  Pictures are believed to be from August of 2004. 



I would suggest not asking what is on the floor.

I wonder if they served popcorn?  Someone must know in Tacoma.



Green carpet?  Nevermind. 

I see the photographer is touching a seat while taking this picture.  Not recommended.

Leather seats?  It is difficult to image this place full of people in the dark.   But I suppose it was.

Heater. 

For the economists out there: the internet placed downward price pressure on this business making making such "theaters" obsolete.

I did hear from many people that the bookstore was one of the most successful business downtown for many years.

Here is the commentary from the photographer:

Eeeeew, we took a 3am trip to the famous Tacoma Mecca Theater.  The clerk was so kind as to hand us the keys and a huge flashlight to take a self-guided tour through one of the last adult theaters in the area.  Let’s just say no one was anxious to sit in those seats!

Update 12/27/2007:  Here is the Mecca today:

:

All of the fake marble is gone.  New windows are in.  A whole line of windows above the first floor.  Despite it's potential historical value, I hear Gintz disposed of the theater seats.  I hope this does not upset our local preservationists.

Work continues though the holidays.  Can't wait to see the "Broadway Speakeasy."

Did anyone get to see the inside personally before the demolition started?  Anyone want to admit to it?  If you have other G rated pictures, please post.

For more information see TNT Photo tour of the Mecca.

TNT Voepel : "Mecca’s sale will close tawdry chapter in Tacoma’s history"

Eighteen months ago, Holt wanted to relocate his peep show palace to one of the three isolated zones the City Council set aside in 2002 for adult entertainment businesses. But only if he could keep the full-length doors on the 25 one-person peep show booths – a privacy accouterment grandfathered in at the Mecca but outlawed at new establishments.

The city certainly wanted the Mecca out of downtown but wouldn’t let Holt take his doors. (Half-doors allow cops to more easily monitor patrons’ behavior during inspections.)

TNT's Voepel : "At the Mecca Theater, a porn house is reborn"

Mecca Condominium Listing

Sound and Shore Listing