Sun-Ray Cinema


The Sun-Ray Cinema at 5 Points, formerly known as Riverside Theater and 5 Points Theatre, is a historic two-screen movie theater in Jacksonville, Florida. The first theater in Florida equipped to show talking pictures, it opened in March 1927 in the Five Points district of the Riverside and Avondale neighborhood.

History

Sun-Ray Cinema opened in 2011, when the Five Points area was struggling as a center for Riverside and Avondale. There were 13 empty retail spaces when Sun-Ray opened. The operator of the business previously in the building closed that same year, three months before Sun-Ray opened.
The building was updated and modernized after a failed attempt to do by previous operators.

Present day

The show schedule features new releases, lesser-known movies and cult films. In addition to traditional movie fare plus beer and wine, they also serve sandwiches, hummus, site-made pizza with unusual toppings and baked goods. The theatre expanded its capacity, adding a second auditorium in 2014.
In 2016, PETA ranked Sun-Ray Cinema as the number one theater for people who do not eat animal products, since the menu includes multiple vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Sun-Ray Cinema has announced plans to expand, adding a second location in the Jacksonville area in early 2020.