The theatre first opened in December 1935 as a single screen cinema and was the first in Central Florida built for "talkies".

[2] Several renovations changed the face of the theatre until it closed in 1963, as movie attendance declined in the new age of television.

Soon after, the site became a farming supply store, where the interior seating was removed and the sloped floor was filled and leveled with cement.

The warmly-lit interior of the 299-seat theatre has Mediterranean revival architecture with a Spanish tile courtyard, "Romeo and Juliet" balconies, and lanterns in the windows over the proscenium arch with palm trees decorating either side of it.

Restoration brought the Garden Theatre back to its original architectural simplicity, in keeping with the character and revitalization of historic downtown Winter Garden, making the building an authentic period piece.