Northside Drive-In
2521 N. Tamiami Trail,
Fort Myers,
FL
33903
2521 N. Tamiami Trail,
Fort Myers,
FL
33903
3 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Carmike Cinemas, Floyd Theaters
Functions: Swap Meet
Previous Names: Fort Myers Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
The Fort Myers Drive-In opened February 4, 1949, featuring the 1946 comedy “Lady Luck” with Robert Young, Barbara Hale & Frank Morgan. The evening also included the showing of cartoons and sports shorts. It was operated by S.J. Feiger and Exhibitors Services Co. from Jacksonville, FL. The theatre had a parking ramp that would hold 500 cars, with RCA in-a-car speakers for each car. In 1954, the concrete screen town was expanded to show CinemaScope pictures. I could not find a listing for Exhibitors Services Co. in 1956 to see who operated it. In late-1969, Floyd Theatres acquired the Fort Myers Drive-In and the Edison Theatre. Included in the deal was land to build a third theatre which was going to be the Southside Drive-In.
On August 12, 1970, the Fort Myers Drive-In was reopened as the Northside Drive-In. It was twinned in March of 1979. Floyd Theatres got bought out by Carmike Cinemas in January of 1996. I believe the Northside Drive-In was sold to an independent operator who operated it until 2005 when it was closed for good.
It is still operated as a Flea Market during the week. In talking to a few people about this drive-in in 2013, it is ‘For Sale’ for the right price and is still in decent condition. It is a classic 1950’s drive-in theatre and hopefully somebody will reopen the ozoner. Sadly, in 2020 the screen tower was demolished.
Contributed by
Chuck, Randy Studer
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Thanks Chuck for the great pictures.
Here are my pictures from July 2012. The place is in decent shape.
The Northside Drive-In is reopening!!!!! They had there Grand Re-Opening of the Flea Market and NEWLY renovated snack bar, in 50’s diner fashion!!! They’re putting up a new screen and plan on opening either late December or January….you can go to winknews.com and watch the news story. I had the pleasure of having lunch there today and, WOW!!! The decor, the music and everything….it was like going back many years!!! I will be the first in line on opening night!!!!!
Above address does not map correctly. Use North Fort Myers.
I just uploaded new pictures and an overview for the Fort Myers/ Northside Drive-In. I do believe that Fort Myers and City Drive-Ins where operated by the same people for a while before the City Drive-In closed in 1970. I have a picture of a movie bill with both theatres on it.
Here is a You Tube Video
So many amazing memories from this place as a lad, this was the real happiest place on Earth. Hope it comes back some day, this is just what the area is missing anymore.
I Found A Drive-In Snipe From The Late 1960’s “Coming Soon” Snipe That Says “NORTHSIDE (TOS) DRIVE-IN.” I Do Not Know Where The TOS One Is? Either This Or One Other Northside Drive-Ins.
The screen tower is gone. I’m thinking the concession stand will be next.
The screen tower was demolished in 2020 according to searches from Google Earth and Maps.