Less than a week ago, we told you about the sudden end for the Forum Theater and Les Gals, two vestiges of a bygone era of when people actually used to leave their homes for their smut. At the time, we wondered whether these shutdowns near 22nd & Market were merely temporary or a more permanent end to their seedy presence.
According to a post last night on Philly.com, the porn appears to be gone forever at these locations. Anthony Trombetta, who operated both of the businesses, was evicted over $29K in unpaid rent by landlords STB Investments. It’s amazing to consider the dramatic shift that’s occurred in a very short time, as it was less than three years ago that it seemed likely that the Forum would actually expand… and now it is no more.
So what happens next on these sites? According to the article, the owners are actively seeking proposals from developers for any and all possible uses. We’d bet on some combination of residential and commercial uses, especially at the former Les Gals space. The Forum space represents a little more of a challenge, as old movie theaters in Center City have generally not met a pleasant fate in recent decades. It wouldn’t come as a surprise to see both buildings torn down and replaced with something taller and far more boring.
And while we’re entirely pleased to see the businesses that occupied these buildings close, it would be a real shame to see the old buildings, especially the old cinema, demolished. If it is, or if it isn’t, what would people like to see here?