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Community Corner

Main & Park: Branford Book & Card

The Park Theatre was indeed on the corner of Park and Main -- where Branford Book and Card now stands.

My question was too easy! Several people not only knew where the used to stand, but one even knew the correct old address! wrote in that it used to be on the corner of Park and Main – and, in hindsight, the theater's name was a very good clue in that regard. wrote in with the correct old street address – 240 Main St., When the numbers changed, the new address became 1022 Main St, – and at 1024 Main St., the closest current address, now stands.

As for what played at the theater: feature films. John "Pop" Dibble, who was the first person to ever show a motion picture in New Haven, moved home to Branford at the age of 64 and managed the Park Theatre until his retirement in 1938.

Frequent contributor wrote in to let us know that the building had been a food store at one point, but it was a casualty to fire. In 1973, Branford Book and Card opened on the corner of Park & Main, and it's been an institution in Branford ever since!

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Do you know anyone who patronized the theater or more about the history? Tell is in the comments!

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