[1][2] During its early years, the Cerrito Theater participated in Dish Night, a common practice at the time, giving away plates and bowls to young women in attendance on Tuesday evenings.

[5] The new owner announced an intention to renovate the space along with surrounding buildings, and to dispose of the theater's original Art Deco interior, which had largely survived the years as a warehouse.

[6] Between 2002 and 2006, the venue was renovated, restoring the chandeliers, etched glass, fixtures, and murals; a new marquee was built, along with a second screen on an upper level, and two cafes.

[6] The City of El Cerrito selected Rialto Cinemas as the new operator, reopening the theater on July 15, 2009 to a sold-out audience watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The sale agreement stipulated that Rialto maintain the historic aspects of the Cerrito Theater, while operating it as a cinema or performance space for 99 years.