I guarantee, there are no ghosts in our parking lot. In fact it would seem that no one, from this life or the great beyond, is there. Ever.
I hesitate to tell you about our parking lot because it appears to be one of 5 Points’ absolute best kept secrets, and I love that I can always always find a space. Unfortunately, I don’t think that keeping ample parking a clandestine matter is exactly good for business so I’m going to spill the beans here.
THERE IS A BIG GIGANTIC PARKING LOT NO ONE USES ON MARGARET STREET, BEHIND THE THEATRE.
There, I said it. Here’s a photo of what our parking lot looked like at 6:55 on a Friday night, just a few minutes before the start of our well attended evening show of THE AVENGERS.
Tim and I worked our tushies off and took a few extra classes in legalese to ensure that patrons of the theatre have free and unrestricted use of this lot and yet it goes totally underutilized. In fact, on St. Patrick’s Day when everything that could be perceived as a parking space on every side street surrounding 5 Points was parked bumper to bumper our lot basically looked like it does in the photo above.
It is a short walk, through a lovely flowery arbor and around the corner past a vintage clothing store to get to our front door from this lot. I am in this area all the time, much later at night than the average patron would be, and I have never experienced so much as the odd panhandler (who by the way are not so much terrifying as they are poor, so let’s all get a reality check here) much less any crime.
And it can’t be our signage. This 8′x4′ sign should allay any misplaced concerns about towing or other riffraff:
So seriously folks, give our parking lot a chance. It’ll save you time and hassle of driving around 5 Points while missing precious previews and you’ll totally look like you’re in the know. Because you will be.
Darn you for telling my secret! I always park there, and have no problems finding a space … until now! You are right, it is very convenient.
Thanks for the tip, but one of the reasons we love Sun-Ray is because it’s walking distance! =)
The problem I have is that I don’t know 5 points well. I only up there from south Orange Park when you guys have a movie nobody else has that I really want to see (the Dragon Tattoo movies, Tim & Eric). It’s quite a dizzying switching to a neighborhood with different kinds of streets with cross-sections that aren’t familiar and streets I easily get lost in. The fact that it’s behind the theater makes it hard to find from Park Street (where I come from). I’m not saying this is how it is for everyone (probably not), but I really don’t like city traffic laws.
I used to park there when the back door was unlocked, but the last two times I parked there the door was locked. It’s not a long walk, but I usually have more success finding parking in front.
I would totally of loved to have known about this parking lot when I was there before! Thanks for the tip!
You have a sign on the building which indicates that it is ok to park there for the cinema. However, the sign is clearly visible and obvious only after you are in the parking lot. A sign visible out on the street would be the way to get people to understand that it is Ok to park here – other than your post, of course.
You have a sign on the building which indicates that it is ok to park there for the cinema. However, the sign is clearly visible and obvious only after you are in the parking lot. A sign visible out on the street would be the way to get people to understand that it is Ok to park here – other than your post, of course.
I’m glad you put the word out about the parking lot. We already knew about it, but we walk or take our bikes, so that leaves one more spot open for folks who have to drive further to enjoy our “local theatre.”