The original frame structure was opened by the Batavia Association in October 1880 on land leased from the Van Nortwick Paper Company. The Music Hall, which featured convenient street-level access and its own orchestra, served as the community’s public hall, occasional skating rink, and theater.

The building was leased to James E. Forrest, a job printer, circa 1902. From here, Forrest and R. L. Carson published The Forrest Press, a short-lived (December 1903–1904), semi-weekly newspaper. The building, largely destroyed by fire in March 1910, was rebuilt as a public hall by William M. Van Nortwick, whose heirs owned the property to July 1938.

Elizabeth M. “Lizzie” Eberman operated Batavia Opera House as a vaudeville and movie theater, circa 1914 to January 1924, when she sold the business to Ramsey Picture Company, which gave way to Joseph Burke, who opened the remodeled Vanity Theater in November 1927.

Burke opened the enlarged Capitol Theater, now with brick veneer, in December 1936. He sold the property to George T. and William T. Valos’ Geneva Theater Corporation, which operated the Batavia Theater, October 1948–August 1952, and, renovated for CinemaScope, June 1955–November 1956.

Robert S. Kerfoot purchased the building in 1959, which, since then, was leased for a variety of professional, commercial, and retail business uses. Kluber Inc. acquired the property in August 2007, historically restored the building, and dedicated its new offices in 2011. After purchasing the site in 2021, Sturdy Shelter Brewing LLC opened in Fall 2022.