The Globe Theatre, founded in 1908, was a significant cultural landmark in its community. Located at 510 N 2nd St, it originally opened under the ownership of a white proprietor, the theatre saw a change in management in 1910 when the original owner retired and leased the venue to Arthur L. MacBeth of Norfolk. This marked a shift in the theatre’s operations and its role in local entertainment. However, by 1917, the Globe Theatre had closed its doors, likely due to shifting economic or social conditions, but it reopened later that year, continuing to serve the community with a fresh lease on life.

By 1923, the Globe Theatre was part of a broader theatrical portfolio run by Charles L. Somma, who also managed the Rayo and Hippodrome Theatres. Under Somers' stewardship, the Globe Theatre became a well-known venue for both minstrel shows and motion picture screenings, appealing to a wide audience with its diverse programming. The theatre also earned a reputation for its community involvement, hosting benefits for local charities such as the Colored Old Folks Home and the Friends Orphan Asylum. These charitable events helped to cement the Globe's status not just as an entertainment venue, but as an important civic institution that gave back to the community while providing a space for leisure and cultural enrichment. The Globe’s legacy is a testament to the importance of community-oriented entertainment venues in the early 20th century.

Located at 411-415 N 2nd Street, between Marshall and Clay Streets, the Rayo Theatre was a prominent entertainment venue in the early 20th century. In 1921, it was under the management of Broadway Amusement Co., led by Ken E. Finlay. However, by 1923, the theatre was rebranded as the Howard Theatre, when Charles L. Somma, the proprietor of the Globe and Hippodrome theatres leased the venue; only to revert back to its original name, Rayo, in 1924. That same year, the theatre saw a revitalization under the management of Mr. Droste, who transformed the struggling venue into a vibrant hub for high-quality entertainment. With his leadership, the Rayo Theatre became renowned for offering a diverse array of performances, including vaudeville acts by a company of permanent players, plays, and motion pictures.

Under Droste's direction, the theatre developed a loyal following, thanks in large part to its commitment to providing value and exceptional customer service. The venue was known for its unique, weekly promotions that kept audiences coming back for more. Monday nights were souvenir nights with a souvenir given to every attendee, while Wednesday nights featured an unusual and memorable giveaway—a crate of live chickens that were awarded to one lucky audience member. Thursdays were reserved for free dance nights, where between shows, patrons could take to the stage for a dance, with live music provided by Henry Waterson's De Luxe Orchestra. Fridays brought the Dandy Contest, where the best-dressed individual would be crowned, and Saturdays offered Pay Night, during which fifty envelopes containing real money were distributed to lucky ticket holders. The theatre prided itself on its clean, family-friendly atmosphere, advertising itself as "a theatre that you are proud to walk into and proud to take your Mother, Sister, or Wife to, because above all, the shows are CLEAN and the service Courteous." These thoughtful touches and the theatre's commitment to quality helped establish the Rayo Theatre as a beloved staple of local entertainment for many years.

Located at 114 W Broad St, this venue originally opened as the Empire Theatre on December 24, 1911, as a live theater. It was modeled after the Empire Theatre in New York City. It was the first air-conditioned theatre in the city. It was also reportedly the first theatre in Richmond post-Reconstruction to have black seating, converting its top gallery. Its proprietor, Moses Hofheimer even went as far as having Virginia state legislation changed to state: "Every person... operating... any public hall, theater, opera house, motion picture show or any place of public entertainment which is attended by both white and colored persons, shall separate the white race and the colored race." 

 After closing in 1915, it was re-established the same year as the Strand Theatre, being fitted with movie screening technology. It continued operations until it was severely damaged by a fire in 1927. Following several years of vacancy, the building was acquired by Lichtman Theatres in 1933 and rebranded as the Booker-T Theatre. This reimagined venue specifically catered to African American audiences, offering a combination of film screenings and vaudeville performances. Additionally, the Richmond News Leader, a local daily newspaper, sponsored promotions offering free movie tickets to the public, further integrating the theater into the cultural fabric of the city's Black community.

The theatre closed in 1974. It then became a children's theatre with the Theatre IV troop (now known as Virginia Rep), which owns and operates the building today as the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre. It is the oldest surviving theatre building in the city.