In the 1940s, 50s and 60s, Emma Avenue was the place to be in Springdale. Dry goods, the post office, drugstore and soda fountain, Emma had it all.

 

In 1948, Bill Sonneman decided Emma needed one more destination- a new theater. With its ornate lobby, velvet seats and risqué marble statue, the Apollo Theater was the center of attention. Sixty-six years later, new owners began the 3 year long renovation process to bring her back in all of her beautiful glory.

 

The Apollo Theater opened Sept. 29, 1949. It was the third theater Sonneman built in the area, including Dickson Street Theater in Fayetteville and another in Rogers, and the Apollo was his crowning achievement. Sonneman built the Apollo with elegance in mind. From its art deco finish, to the velvet curtains and seats in the theater and antiques in the lobby, the Apollo was stunning to its movie-going patrons. Many residents remember meeting friends for afternoon matinees, or taking a date to an evening show and perhaps stealing a kiss. The first film shown at the Apollo was It’s a Great Feeling starring Doris Day, Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan.

 

The marble statue of the god Apollo located in the lobby, wearing nothing but a fig leaf, caused quite a stir in town. Sonneman acquired the statue through local antique dealer Dallas Barrack and loved it so much he named his theater after the work of art. The scandalous statue was even draped with a tunic at one point to pacify more conservative residents.

 

The completely renovated theater now is used for weddings, corporate events, parties, galas & more. They even still have the capability of showing movies during events.