Landmark Hermosa: The Old Bijou Theater

As many Hermosa Beach locals and visitors sip their beverages, they can also savor the majestic and historical ambiance of what used to be the old Metropolitan and Bijou Theater.

One of the oldest buildings still standing in Hermosa Beach, this commerical downtown structure is much more than an average coffee shop.

The building's story begins in 1923 with a proposal from the First Bank of Hermosa Beach to build a two story complex at the corner of 13th Street and Hermosa Avenue. The piece of commerical real estate "would offer banking rooms, offices, and a theater," according to the Hermosa Beach Historical Society.

The architect was Hermosa Beach resident Richard Douglas King, who reportedly died 22 years after the theater was constructed.

"The theatre has a beautiful entrance... underneath a marquee of rare artistic design," stated a Hermosa Beach Review front-page article stored in the files from 1923. "Prominently arched and filled with expensive hangings… alcoves and costly paintings."

When it came time to name the new landmark, a "Name the Theatre" contest was declared in May of that same year. More than 500 submissions were received. The winning name, "The Metropolitan," was conceived by J.H. Claudius who won the $10 gold first prize.

The theater was later named "Bijou" and functioned as an art movie house until 1997 when Federal Realty in San Jose leased the 22,000-square-foot space to the international coffee and tea company.

"A lot of older people will come in and say, 'wow, I used to come here when I was younger,'" Coffee Bean employee Janel Ylauan .

Larry Robins, a local postal worker added that the building reflects the community's continual effort to preserve history. "Part of why I think this building is still here is because the city wanted to keep its charm," he said.

Congratulations to , the grandson of Richard Douglas King, for correctly guessing today's Landmark Hermosa. We'll have a new trivia next week.