Originally published in the Summer/Fall 2025 edition of the Virginia Defender, issue 77, printed December 11. Reproduced here for accessibility and archival purposes. To find other stories in the Summer/Fall 2025 issue or to download the full PDF, see this post. For other issues dating back to 2012, see the Full Issues page.

By Phil Wilayto

There’s a hidden gem in the Highland Springs neighborhood in Eastern Henrico County that we’d like to shine a little light on.

It’s a movie theater that, like the beloved Byrd in Richmond’s Carytown district, shows second-run movies, but at an even lower price: $1.00.

That’s right, one buck.

And not only is admission just a dollar, but so is the popcorn, soda and candy.

Talk about a cheap date.

And the place is no dive. The designer of this lovely, two-story art deco theater located at 305 E. Nine Mile Road was Edward F. Sinnott, the noted Richmond architect (1890- 1974) who also designed many other area theaters, including the Robinson in Richmond’s Church Hill, as well as many local schools, banks, medical offices, office buildings and parks.

(Fun fact: One of the theater’s two original owners had previously built the Byrd, which opened in 1928.)

Henrico Theatre opened as a movie palace on April 25, 1938. At that time, according to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, “… it was the most prominent and architecturally sophisticated theater in the Richmond area, despite its then-rural location.”

It also had air conditioning, a rarity at the time.

Tickets back then were a quarter for adults and a dime for children. The building, which was designated as a bomb shelter during World War II, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After falling on hard times, the privately owned theater was closedin 1996. Three years later it was purchased from the Horne family by Henrico County, which spent $5.8 million in renovations, reopening it to the public in 2007.

One really nice thing about the theater is that everyone seems to feel welcome there. (Or we wouldn’tbe recommending it.)

Besides movies, the 400-seat theater also hosts live events and is available for rental, along with an upstairs meeting room.

So check out the movie and event schedule. We’d be surprised if you don’t see something you like.

And if you do go, tell ‘em the Defender sent you.