During the mid-1950s "the building and its surrounding neighborhood began a gradual decline" as African-American middle-class families began moving to other areas of the city. The theater briefly closed in the 1960s.
During the mid-1950s, "the structure and its neighborhood began to experience a gradual downturn" as African-American families shifted their residences to different areas of the city. The theater was shut down temporarily in the 1960s.