The Paramount Theatre was built in 1886, during a time when vaudeville was the primary source of entertainment. Designed to accommodate a wide array of performances, the theater quickly became a central hub for culture and social gatherings in Newark. Over the years, it hosted numerous plays, musical performances, and films, captivating audiences with its grandeur and elegance.

As the decades passed, the rise of modern cinemas and the changing tastes of the public led to a decline in the theater’s popularity. Despite efforts to revive its fortunes, the Paramount Theatre could not compete with the emerging multiplexes and the advent of home entertainment systems. Consequently, the theater was forced to close its doors in 1986, marking the end of an era for Newark's entertainment scene.