Hidden theatre in the Spirit Store (a PSA and a question)

So the Spirit store in Times Square is already open (never too early to shop for your halloween costume I guess). Last year I happened to pop into the store, and I noticed that the space opens up into the re-purposed remains of an old theatre. You can see the proscenium, the mezzanine, the boxes, some decorative molding etc. - except it's being used as a retail space. I found it fascinating and always meant to look into its history, but I never did. But my curiosity re-ignited today when I happened to be passing by, noticed it was open again, so I took another look at it.

The PSA part of this is: Go check it out, because it's pretty cool. It's on 42nd Street below Dave & Busters. I know there are others, like the lobby of the AMC theatre, which is also very cool. Also, I've never been to John's Pizzeria, but I've heard it's a similar sort of thing too.

So the questions are: (1) does anyone know the name/history of this theatre? and (2) what do they use that space for during the year when the Spirit store isn't operating? I've passed by those doors a few times in the past year, and they were always closed and unmarked.

Here is a good article on it.

For a few weeks they had a "Sleep No More" type show in it playing. I think it use to house the Liberty Diner, so the "backstage" area is where the kitchen was. The Mezz looks very small. But with loading on 41st - you can see the outline of the theater on 41st with where the stage door would be - I'm surprised no one has moved to remake this a legit house. Might be a lot of work, but it's a great location. And great front of house possibilities.

That's unfortunate. Boo.

If anyone happens to go by the store, would you mind taking some pictures? I would love to see what this looks like today.

Any pictures of its original marquee?

Untapped Cities also has a fair amount to say (and display) about the Liberty. Funny someone brings it up now, as I was just talking in the "Dream Production" thread about reviving the place.

Updated On: 8/25/19 at 01:37 PM

This comment on g.d.e.l.g.i's link is from last year, of course, and who knows how long ago that commenter's last visit was before that, but it's definitely an expensive issue to overcome in any talks of a full restoration.

"At my last visit the balcony and gallery levels were accessible only by ladder from the main floor. Even more challenging is that the stage was crippled and truncated in height when the multi-cinema development was built around it."