The Empire Theater (at 419-433 High Street) lasted from 2 November 1893 to 22 April 1915 when a very large fire destroyed it. A summer theater was across the street from the Empire. The Don Caesar de Bazan was the first production ever at the Empire.
It did theater and then burlesque but by the end was a nickelodeon. In the photo the Empire is the ornate building in the middle and the Grand is two buildings to the right.
Sanborn map analysis:
Sanborn 1884 map shows all is empty
Sanborn 1889 map shows an empty lot