Built in 1926, the 1,100-seat Lyric Theater was built in the mid 1920s and was used primarily
for movie viewing. Max Lefkowich and Abraham Polster bought the property the Lyric stood
on from the Senate Theater Company in April of 1926. Lefkowich and Polster owned the Lyric
until June of 1946, when they sold the property. The Lyric continued under different ownership
until if finally closed in the early 1960s. The last show ran on Saturday, July 21, 1962.
It was a double feature of "The Big Country" with Gregory Peck and "Thunder Road" with Robert
Mitchum.
The Lyric Theater later became the Lorain Avenue Masonic Temple. In 2003, under the ownership
of AACCESS-Ohio, the Lyric Theater façade was renovated through the City of Cleveland Storefront
Renovation Program. A new marquee was installed, and the exterior of the building was completely
renovated. AACCESS-Ohio also made major repairs and renovations to the interior of the building,
restoring the remarkable lobby and transforming the auditorium into a beautiful banquet room.
The building is now used for AACCESS-Ohio offices as well as a social club and banquet hall.
Architect: J.H. MacDowell
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