Joy Theatre, originally the Rex, was once located at 1130 Queen St E (at Bertmount Ave, on the northeast corner) in the Leslieville neighbourhood of Toronto.
The Rex Theatre opened in the mid-1910s, and in the early 1940s, it was renamed, Joy. When the theatre closed in the mid-1950s, the building became home to the Grads Club, and for several decades, Stratenger’s occupied the building.
Today, the former theatre building is home to Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Joy Theatre Photos
1950s – Joy Theatre, originally the Rex, was once located at 1130 Queen St E and Bertmount Ave, on the northeast corner. On the marquee, “Tarzan and the Leopard Woman,” starring Johnny Weissmuller, Brenda Joyce and Johnny Sheffield, was playing (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 464)1950s – Looking northwest towards the Grads Club, which occupied the former theatre building located at 1130 Queen St E and Bertmount Ave (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 463)Date unknown – Stratenger’s Saloon later occupied the former theatre building located at 1130 Queen St E (City of Toronto Archives)2009 – Looking northeast towards the Stratenger’s, which occupied the former theatre building located at 1130 Queen St E and Bertmount Ave for several decades (Google Maps)2021 – The building at 1130 Queen St E and Bertmount Ave, on the northeast corner, was once home to Rex Theatre, Joy Theatre, the Grads Club and Stratenger’s2021 – Looking northeast towards Dave’s Hot Chicken at 1130 Queen St E and Bertmount Ave, was once home to Rex and Joy Theatre1957 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Grads Club (Toronto Public Library)1943 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Joy Theatre (Toronto Public Library)1917 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Rex Theatre (Toronto Public Library)
Source
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Apr 9, 1958, pg 18
