What was there?
There was a café.
There (was, were) many buildings.
were
What were there?
There were buildings.
Was there a café or a park?
There was a café.
Was there a supermarket?
No there wasn't.
(was, were) a movie theater 50 years ago?
Was
What was there?
There was a movie theater.
Was there a local market?
Yes, there was a market 50 years ago.
(was, were) a local market?
was
Was there a sports center?
Yes, there was a sports center.