On September 11, 1908, Lynch’s Theatre was opened at 41 Main Street. This was a major theater in downtown Woonsocket with 577 orchestra seats and 223 seats in the balcony. The building was originally erected as part of the Harris Woolen Company. After the Harris firm had ceased manufacturing, the structure was idle for some time. A new facade was constructed for the old mill building which was converted into a theatre. The newer section provided space for an entrance, lobby, offices and a balcony.

By 1922 it had been renamed Smith’s Theatre. Shortly thereafter, the theater switched from vaudeville fare to movies and was renamed Rialto Theatre. The property was swept by fire in 1924 with a loss of $20,000.

The Rialto closed in 1945 and reopened the next year under the management of Melvin B. Safner, who also managed the Olympia Theatre. Management announced that its policy would be to bring Woonsocket movie-lovers the best of French Film. Opening on November 8, 1946, with Portrait of a Woman starring the renowned Francoise Rosay.

The Rialto Theatre closed in 1955, and the building was demolished in 1991.