Bad Movie Logo
"A website to the detriment of good film"
Custom Search
HOMEB-MOVIE REVIEWSREADER REVIEWSFORUMINTERVIEWSUPDATESABOUT
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
March 28, 2024, 11:46:31 AM
713350 Posts in 53056 Topics by 7725 Members
Latest Member: wibwao
Badmovies.org Forum  |  Other Topics  |  Off Topic Discussion  |  DEFUNCT PLACES YOU MISS (Drive-ins, roller rinks, restaurants, etc) « previous next »
Pages: [1] 2
Author Topic: DEFUNCT PLACES YOU MISS (Drive-ins, roller rinks, restaurants, etc)  (Read 14067 times)
retrorussell
In the town of Valentine Bluffs, there are many ways to die. Take your pick.
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
****

Karma: 1189
Posts: 9585


Hanniger! I'll be waiting in HELL for you!


« on: January 23, 2011, 10:30:40 PM »

Sorry to bring out the waterworks from some people, but what are some of the places you loved going to long ago (or possibly it shut down recently) and miss dearly today?

I miss busy arcades full of hot new games.  Nowadays they're either interactive music/dance games or skill/ticket redemption games.  Phooey.
I liked the old skating rink next to Beaverton Mall.  Good times that will never be revisited. (sob)
Logged

"O the legend they say, on a Valentine's Day, is a curse that'll live on and on.."
HappyGilmore
B-Movie Kraken
*****

Karma: 772
Posts: 12286


I know Quack-Fu.


« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2011, 11:12:53 PM »

Around here, I miss the MacDade Mall.  It was the smallest mall in the area, a one level mall, but for the space it did have, it had a nice little movie theater in it with maybe 3-4 screens.  Also there was a nice little arcade, with pinball and the various arcade games I loved to play, like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game and various others.  Had a nice music store, a great pretzel stand, and I spent many days there as a youth, up to the early '00s. 

Then, they got rid of the movie theater and arcade, the FYE became Halloween Adventure, the mall raised the rent and every store except K-Mart left.  Granted it was the 'dirt mall' of the area, where the 'poorer' people would shop, but I didn't care.  I liked it.  It was small. 

Right now, the mall itself is closed.  They have an ACME Supermarket attached to one end that is open, and the K-Mart on the other that's open, and the middle section is more or less just a dark hallway nobody is allowed in.  Last time the mall was used for anything was about 2 years ago when Peter Jackson used it to film scenes of his movie "The Lovely Bones" starring Mark Wahlberg. 
Logged

"The path to Heaven runs through miles of clouded Hell."

Don’t get too close, it’s dark inside.
It’s where my demons hide, it’s where my demons hide.
Paquita
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
****

Karma: 477
Posts: 1727



« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2011, 11:43:39 PM »

The Mr Steer steakhouse that we used to go to that had really tasty, yet really cheap steak that gave me diarrhea within an hour.  That place closed about 5 years ago.. we went there one day and there was a sign that said “Closed due to Illness” and then it never opened again.  Strange.  I think they finally removed the big sign just a few weeks ago.

Then there’s Santa’s Village and Kiddieland, they were amusement parks geared toward younger kids, but they did have a lot of fun attractions that older kids could enjoy, like an arcade, carnival games, bumper cars, etc.  These make me particularly upset because they closed just before I had my own kid and, therefore, an excuse to go.  Before I had to “borrow” someone else’s kid to get in and really I just wanted to go myself.  Also Ceaserland, which was a Chuck-E-Cheese type place recently closed.  Last time I was there, they made a lot of changes so it wasn’t nearly as cool as it was when I was a kid, but I was shocked to see 2 of the rides that I remembered still around, one was a rocket ship that just moved up and down, but it was in bad condition when I was a little and still looked like a mobile chunk off a crack house when I saw it last.

What really made me sad was losing this place called Holiday Park which was a beach and park area where people would go for family gatherings, and where my uncle used to have his company picnic.  That place was the best, there was a giant waterslide, an arcade, little food huts, vending machines, a couple playgrounds, and I think a DJ area because the place was rigged with speakers and there was an announcer guy playing requests, which at the time I was there they played a bunch of cheesy metal ballads and arena rock all day.  That was the most magical place on earth, everyone was all wet running around in bathing suits and all my tubby uncles with their walrus mustaches were drinking beer, grilling stuff and rocking out…  It’s a town-home community now.  We can’t seem to find another place quite like it, but we’re still looking!  If I ever find myself rich enough, I'd open a place just like it again!

I got pretty lucky that most of the other places I liked to go are either still in business, or have a close runner-up that’s still around.  There’s a drive-in we can get to, it’s 40 min away, but still close enough, a couple roller-rinks, Haunted Trails mini-golf/arcade/rides still has its two locations open, and there’s a place called Novelty Golf that I’m pretty sure is still around and they play the same commercial that I swear is from the 70s every summer.
Logged
The Gravekeeper
addicted to the macabre
Bad Movie Lover
***

Karma: 85
Posts: 759



« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2011, 11:58:33 PM »

Drive-in movies. Yes, I was on the very tail end, but I still miss going out with the family to watch this magical device that had movies bigger than the indoor theatres, and getting to watch it from our car. There were always two movies showing, so if someone in the car didn't like one they could plug in a portable radio and tune in to the other.

You just can't get the nice ambiance of crickets chirping and frogs singing in a theatre, although it is nice to not get eaten alive by mosquitoes every time you get up to get refill your drink or use the washroom.
Logged
Trevor
Uncle Zombie and Eminent Shitologist
B-Movie Kraken
*****

Karma: 2121
Posts: 22711



« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2011, 03:31:22 AM »

I just plain miss my hometown and the little it had to offer when I was a kid but that little was enough.  Bluesad
Logged

I know I can make it on my own if I try, but I'm searching for the Great Heart
To stand me by, underneath the African sky
A Great Heart to stand me by.
RCMerchant
Bela
B-Movie Kraken
*****

Karma: 0
Posts: 30427


"Charlie,we're in HELL!"-"yeah,ain't it groovy?!"


WWW
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2011, 06:46:43 AM »

News Stands. Their are no more little stores where you can buy magazines or comic books around here no mo. Right here in Lawton the Halftime Liquer store had a HUGE newstand where as a kid I could by FAMOUS MONSTERS, MAD,CREEPY,SGT FURY,TRUE WEST,paperbacks about UFO's and Bigfoot,REAL DETECTIVE....they had everything! Took up a whole wall!!!! They discontinued the newstand section in the 90's. Even the Grapevine News Agency doesnt even sell magazines anymore! A few newspapers....mostly its just a diner now. I would have to go all the way to Kalamazoo to find mags...like a comic book store or trading card shop. Fooey. A whole genreration of small town kids are living without comic books.  Bluesad
Logged

"Supernatural?...perhaps. Baloney?...Perhaps not!" Bela Lugosi-the BLACK CAT (1934)
Interviewer-"Does Dracula ever end for you?
Lugosi-"No. Dracula-never ends."

Slobber, Drool, Drip!
https://www.tumblr.com/ronmerchant
Jack
B-Movie Kraken
*****

Karma: 1141
Posts: 10327



« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2011, 07:36:54 AM »

I miss Chi Chi's.  That was our favorite restaurant - they had the best appetizers in the entire world.  No way you could eat dinner after one of those things, they were huge!  And we'd have their equally huge daiquiri's when we were there too.  Left feeling full and slightly wobbly  TeddyR  They were a nationwide chain and I guess somebody somewhere got food poisoning and they shut them all down  Bluesad
Logged

The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.

- Paulo Coelho
claws
Guest
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2011, 08:17:55 AM »

I miss the W. O. Darby Fuerth - Nuermberg Military Community, a former United States Army installation here in Germany. They closed in 1994.
Even though we didn't live on base but we did most of our shopping there, basically every weekend, and once or twice during the week. They had American products shipped regularly from the States, and at least up to ten U.S. video rental places during the heydays. Burger King opened their first restaurant there, first ever in Germany, followed by KFC and Pizza Hut - which made this Community special because those weren't available anywhere else.

On base they had a pretty cool Snack Bar/Canteen/Diner hybrid with Arcade video games section, jukebox, Sundae bar. You could order hot breakfast, lunch or dinner as you stood in line holding your tray. Or you could pick your choice of food buffet style. They also offered themed nights like Monday was BBQ, Wednesday was Mexican, Friday was Asian. I ate my very first Taco Salad there  TeddyR

The main BX/Shopping Center was located inside a big three-floors building from WW2. The outline was like a E and the place was so big it took 7-8 minutes to walk from one end to the other. In 1987/88 they build a Mall-like Shopping Center attached to the old building. And three years before they closed down they build a brand new Commissary across the street, for several million dollars. That was U.S. tax money well spend  Wink

Other conveniences strewn in nearby surroundings in and outside of base: several launderettes, community theater, movie theater, schools, bowling alley, hospital, book & Magazine stores, outdoors pool, roller rink, a giant library, gift shops, barber shops, many 7-Eleven type of places and much more.
The one thing I miss the most however was a place called California Cookies. They made the best fresh chocolate chip cookies ever.

I was so sad when the Government decided to shut down W.O. Darby. It was such a great Community with 50,000 Americans stationed, not counting spouses and kids. It was like Little America located in the borough of some German town.
The place is hardly recognizable now. Most of the buildings have been torn down and some replaced with new ones since local authorities took over.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2011, 02:38:45 AM by claws » Logged
Mr. DS
Master Of Cinematic Bowel Movements
B-Movie Kraken
*****

Karma: 1869
Posts: 15511


Get this thread cleaned up or YOU'RE FIRED!!!


WWW
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2011, 08:29:53 AM »

Already mentioned but I really miss arcades too.  The noise, the fun, the competition.  Some of my fondest memories were during it's 90's peak with games like Mortal Kombat, Killer Instinct, Virtua Fighter, etc.  Also the racing games like Daytona USA.  Of course lets not forget it's major golden age during the 80s with games like Karate Champ, Punch Out, Pacman, etc.  Then the major saving up of tickets for a goofy prize or two.  Still those prizes were sacred.

RC mentioned newstands, I have to agree with that as well.  The selection in big name stores is fair but nothing compared to the mom n pop stores that used to be in business.  Of course the porn sections too were much bigger and dirtier.  Granted we have the internet for porn now but I kind of miss feeling like a pervert in public looking a porno mag.   BounceGiggle

Video stores.  Particularly the 80s days of big VHS boxes and spending time browsing for what you want to watch on a Friday night.  Oh and the porn section too.   TeddyR
Logged

DarkSider's Realm
http://darksidersrealm.blogspot.com/

"You think the honey badger cares?  It doesn't give a sh*t."  Randall
JayJayM12
Regulary relieves himself on hospitality...
Bad Movie Lover
***

Karma: 96
Posts: 690



WWW
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2011, 09:44:41 AM »

I'm definitely on board with missing the Drive In.  I'm actually kinda lucky in that I do still have a drive in nearby (about a half hour) - only $5 for two movies.  BUT, as hard as they try (and they do), it's just not the same.  They show new release movies, with none of the fun, old segues and awesome trailers.  As much as we love to go (and we do), it's just not quite the same when the double feature these days is Yogi Bear and Narnia.  So, I guess I mean to say that I miss drive ins the way the USED to be...
Logged

Check out my movie reviews and articles at:  www.cinedump.com<br /><br />Or, don\\\'t check them out - see if I care.  You\\\'re not my real mom anyway.  Unless, you are.  In which case, whatever, I\\\'ll do what I want.  It\\\'s my hot body.  Y\\\'all don\\\'t know me.
Flick James
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
****

Karma: 489
Posts: 4642


Honorary Bastard of Arts


« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2011, 09:54:56 AM »

In La Mirada, California, there was the strangest mall I've ever seen that has long since been torn down. It was a popular mall in the 70's and into the early 80's. I even worked at the 6-screen multiplex there in high school. It was a very 70's mall. The weird thing about it was the layout. It was far from a standard mall layout. It was almost like a maze. You would walk around and sometimes you'd find you'd gone in a circle. It was a probably a disaster of a design for finding stuff, and I'm sure many a shop went out of business that were in the remote places that were harder to find, but I used to love the place as a kid because it was like going on an adventure seeing if you could get to every area of the mall.

As the 80's progressed the mall got less and less frequented as people started heading for more up-to-date malls. That last year when there was any significant traffic was the year Star Trek 4: The Return Home was released. We had lines around the building for big movies but that was about the only thing bringing in people, parts of the mall were slowly becoming deserted and in the last few years it was like one of those old mining towns when the gold runs out and people just start leaving and it gets real quiet. Once the food court businesses started leaving that was it. The multiplex I worked at held on for a while and was one of the last things to go.

Sniff sniff.
Logged

I don't always talk about bad movies, but when I do, I prefer badmovies.org
Umaril The Unfeathered
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
****

Karma: 144
Posts: 1826


Pelinal na vasha, racuvar! Sa yando tyavoy nagaia!


WWW
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2011, 04:05:19 PM »

The old Somerville Drive-In in Somerville, New Jersey. I started going there with my parents when I was in 1969, and my last 2 movies there were in 1985: Day Of The Dead and F-13 4-The Final Chapter.

My fondest memories were the old train ride they took around the drive-in and the wooded area around it. You would go around twice and then the train would stop, and the guy would round up the next group. 

About 20 years ago the drive-in became a sports complex. I went there with a friend of mine to play mini-golf, and I couldn't believe my eyes....they had the old train integrated into the mini golf area with a "do not touch" sign and the history of the train on it as well.

And, way in back, they still had the old yellow hut they kept in it, with the faded pictures of the clowns and the bouncie-balls and the moons and stars. I started crying, and my friends were like "what's wrong"? 

At that time, another girl about my age came up to me and put her arm around me and said, "it's OK, I used to ride it too when I was little."  It was then that I found out that she worked there, and had consoled others who were hit with the same wave of nostalgia.

It meant so much to so many of us.
Logged

Tam-Riel na nou Sancremath.
Dawn's Beauty is our shining home.

An varlais, nou bala, an kynd, nou latta.
The stars are our power, the sky is our light.

Malatu na nou karan.
Truth is our armor.

Malatu na bala
Truth is power.

Heca, Pellani! Agabaiyane Ehlnadaya!
Be gone, outsiders! I do not fear your mortal gods!

Auri-El na nou ata, ye A, Umaril, an Aran!
Aure-El is our father, and I, Umaril, the king!
The Burgomaster
Aggravating People Worldwide Since 1964
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
****

Karma: 773
Posts: 9036



« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2011, 05:15:22 PM »

Drive-ins, for sure.  They still exist around here (although, there aren't many) and I try to get to one every few years, but they aren't as fun as they used to be for some reason.  I'd love to see someone open a drive-in that showed only "classic" drive-in movies like DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT and LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, but unfortunately I don't think they would make much money.  (I would go there quite frequently, however).

I also miss Gino's restaurants.  They used to be a competitor of McDonald's and I remember going there a lot when I was a kid.  They had burgers named "The Gino Giant" and "The Jumbo Gino."  There was one a couple miles from my house, but it closed when I was probably 10 years old, maybe younger. 

Logged

"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone."
Ed, Ego and Superego
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
****

Karma: 300
Posts: 3016



« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2011, 07:56:51 PM »

There was a chain called Rax, that did roast been sandwiches and shakes. I had my first chocolate chip shake there:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rax_(restaurant)

Also there IS a place called Runza in Nebraska.  They did Amazing things with cabbage.  But we don't have them here, and I miss it.

-Ed
Logged

Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?

Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes
RCMerchant
Bela
B-Movie Kraken
*****

Karma: 0
Posts: 30427


"Charlie,we're in HELL!"-"yeah,ain't it groovy?!"


WWW
« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2011, 07:21:59 AM »

They still have drive in movie's here-one in 3 rivers, another in Hartford. But-like jayJay sed-they don't play drive in movies....cheapo,sleazy double bills with psychos,monsters and boobies....
I miss matinee double features! As a kid I could take 50 cents and see awesome double features at the tiny Strand in Paw Paw and see THE HOMBODIES and PSYCHIC KILLER, RACE WITH THE DEVIL and SHADOW of the HAWK,DR.PHIBES RISES AGAIN and DRACULA AD 1972...heavy sigh.... Bluesad
Already mentioned-Mom and Pop video stores-not many new releases-but where else could you find big clamshell boxes of DR.GORE, BODYSHOP, or the ASYLUM OF SATAN?

Also-Late night monster movie programs...I know they have them someplaces and on cable....but not here where I am no more... Bluesad




Anybody from out east (I was born in New York) remember Carrol's Drive In Resturants?-they had Hot Dogs! Thumbup

Logged

"Supernatural?...perhaps. Baloney?...Perhaps not!" Bela Lugosi-the BLACK CAT (1934)
Interviewer-"Does Dracula ever end for you?
Lugosi-"No. Dracula-never ends."

Slobber, Drool, Drip!
https://www.tumblr.com/ronmerchant
Pages: [1] 2
Badmovies.org Forum  |  Other Topics  |  Off Topic Discussion  |  DEFUNCT PLACES YOU MISS (Drive-ins, roller rinks, restaurants, etc) « previous next »
    Jump to:  


    RSS Feed Subscribe Subscribe by RSS
    Email Subscribe Subscribe by Email


    Popular Articles
    How To Find A Bad Movie

    The Champions of Justice

    Plan 9 from Outer Space

    Manos, The Hands of Fate

    Podcast: Todd the Convenience Store Clerk

    Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

    Dragonball: The Magic Begins

    Cool As Ice

    The Educational Archives: Driver's Ed

    Godzilla vs. Monster Zero

    Do you have a zombie plan?

    FROM THE BADMOVIES.ORG ARCHIVES
    ImageThe Giant Claw - Slime drop

    Earth is visited by a GIANT ANTIMATTER SPACE BUZZARD! Gawk at the amazingly bad bird puppet, or chuckle over the silly dialog. This is one of the greatest b-movies ever made.

    Lesson Learned:
    • Osmosis: os·mo·sis (oz-mo'sis, os-) n., 1. When a bird eats something.

    Subscribe to Badmovies.org and get updates by email:

    HOME B-Movie Reviews Reader Reviews Forum Interviews TV Shows Advertising Information Sideshows Links Contact

    Badmovies.org is owned and operated by Andrew Borntreger. All original content is © 1998 - 2014 by its respective author(s). Image, video, and audio files are used in accordance with the Fair Use Law, and are property of the film copyright holders. You may freely link to any page (.html or .php) on this website, but reproduction in any other form must be authorized by the copyright holder.