[3][4][2] The theater was originally built as an auto dealership, and was renovated in 1941 by the Standard Theatres Management Corporation to become a single-screen cinema.

American movie theater architect Perry Crosier designed the renovation, converting it into "Streamline Moderne" (a type of Art Deco) styling.

[5] In 2000-2001, it was renovated, and reopened by owner Mark Mariucci on February 9, 2001 as the Historic West Theatre, which was described as "a first-run cinema showing independent and arthouse film during the week and a dance club on weekends.

[6][7][8][9] In 2011, the theater was purchased by Mary Clare Vanden Boom and Joey Hawthorne, who reopened it as a "computer, pro lighting, and sound systems retail business" called Funky Monkey in November 2013.

[10][11][6] In 2018, it was purchased by Tarl Knight and former owner Mark Mariucci, who renamed it The Tarlton Theatre and reopened it as a cinema and performance venue with a restaurant and bar.