The historic Mayfield Theater has begun renovation work on the south side of Mayfield Road in Cleveland’s Little Italy (Harrison Whittaker). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
La Dolce Vita owner pitches Tiki-inspired dinner theater, lounge
Little Italy’s Mayfield Theater, opened in 1923, has sat vacant at 12300 Mayfield Rd. for over 40 years. Its owner, restaurateur Terry Tarantino, appears to be finally realizing plans to restore the historic structure as a dinner theater, bar and lounge.
When Tarantino — owner of nearby La Dolce Vita and self-described “movie buff” — purchased the theater in 2005, it hadn’t been used as a cinema in two decades. Before that, different owners had tried operating it as an art movie house, silent theatre, and live performance venue with varying levels of success.
The building’s decay became clear to the public in 2012, when winds from Hurricane Sandy damaged the iconic blade sign atop its marquee. A final blow came in September 2023, when the property was condemned by the City of Cleveland.
In 2012, the theater’s historic blade sign was damaged during Hurricane Sandy (Wikimedia Commons).
Condemnation forces a property owner to either demolish a decaying structure or renovate it to bring it up to code. While neighbors have reportedly doubted Tarantino’s ability to do the latter, the theater’s restoration is already underway following a building permit issued Aug. 11.
The permit allows Lakewood-based general contractor Scalish Construction to repair and weatherproof the roof in order to prevent the structure’s deterioration. The permit also specifies that its “scope involves phased restoration of Mayfield Theater. No demolition work proposed.”
Signage on the outside of the building indicates that the proposed dinner theater is designed by DS Architecture of Cleveland and will be developed by an affiliate company, Chromia Development, which was organized in March 2026, according to Ohio Secretary of State records.
This photo, dated 1975, depicts the interior of the theater during its use as a cinema (Cleveland Landmarks Commission).
Dubbed “Mayfield Theater’s Next Act,” the proposed venue “reimagines the space through an unexpected blend of tropical tiki allure and the bold glamour of 1980s Italian discos.”
Its main level will consist of a chromatic dinner theater and bar, with a leafy patio space outside. A lower-level lounge will immerse guests in a more intimate space.
Tarantino has not yet responded to a request for comment and more information prior to publication of this article.
END
