The building was demolished and a school sits where it once was. I attended several functions as a child in the 1970’s when it was a catering hall. It closed in the early 1980’s and fell into disrepair.
Yup Fixer 3 had it right, it was a bowling alley and then turned into a shooting range for about 15 years before it became a restarant and is now The Merrick Charter Academy school
Sadly a new CVS has gone up in its place. And just east of the old place is a new supermarket. I was able to see one of the last movies ever played there. Farenheit 911 by Michael Moore. I think that was in 04 or 05
Wow you really took me ack with Adventures Inn. I forgot about the College Point It is exactly on the old Adventures Inn. And your right about the Main St Theater. Do you know if they still show first run movies over there or what?
That was sad what happened to Tony Avena. You know its pretty sad what has happened not so much to the nigborhood but to all of the old places that used to be around. The Prospect was a good theatre and really there was no ned to close it! I have'nt been around there in a while but is there any other theatre around that area any more?
Hey Ed I am almost positive that the hospital is closed now. I beleive it closed about 2000 or so but I am sure it is now closed. Hey I agree about IHOP. It was the only one I would go to other than Northern Blvd as well. The one on Hillside Ave was always less desireable! Hey do you remeber when McDonalds used to be a Jack in the Box? I’m going way back!
Boy talk about memories! I went the Prospect several times as a teen! Don’t remember any of the movies but it was such a cool place. I would always go to Glorias for the best Pizza ever in NYC and when I worked at McDonalds a block away I would always park my car on the side of the Prospect! Does anyone remember the little restaraunt that sold either hotdogs or chinese food right next to or even in the lobby of the theatre? Maybe I’m crazy but this was in the early 80’s late 70’s?
Just had to say I saw the movie Mandingo in 1975 with my dad. He didn’t know it had such steamy sex scenes and took me right out! I was only 10. I know the theatre was open in 1980 becuse I saw the movie, The Blues Brothers with Dan Ackrod and John Belushi. It was 2 screen place by then. What was amazing to me was that it out lived the Loews Valencia. It was no way near as ornate as the Valencia but it was nice. When it first closed it was turned into bunch of little stores. I never knew about the entrance being on 165st but as I think about it I do remember a large opening on that side of the street!
Man do I miss both movie Theatres. I was a kid and would spend many Saturdays on Jamacia Ave. She would give me $5 and I was good. All of my freinds would go!
In looking at the picture that was posted earlier, I forgot that there used to be a SACHS store at the corner of Merrick and Jamacia aves.
It is so sad to see what happened to the RKO, but also what about Main Street as well. I used to work in McDonalds on Main st. in 1980 and when the RKO was still open. It was a great place to see a movie and like has been said before the lobby was awsome. Only the Loews Valencia on Jamacia Ave, and Lowes 175st Harlem looked better(Rev Ikes church). All of main st has changed. Alexanders, then Caldors and now nothing! I also got a job at Crazy Eddie in 1986 and used to work until close, 10pm. Man the area was so empty at night it was scary! Flushing was and is truly a travelers hub for Queens, just like Queens Plaza, Jamacia and Archers Aves and the 179st station. Many of the changes that have happen are usally for the worst but some must be made.
The RKO should be saved if at all possible. But with everything else in life MONEY talks. Someone wants to get make money on the site not spend money! It been 20 years and still no progress. This is unbelieveable! I just hope that someone will step up to the plate and do something quick!
It is really sad to drive by and see its current state and know the history of the RKO! and Main Street as well!
It was a sad day when it became a drug store. As a kid my dad used to go to the Happy Man cleaners a block away! We used to pass the great Marquee all the time! It is a shame I never took photos of it! Also does anyone remember Chicken Delight about 3 or 4 blocks going towards the park? Best tasting chicken in town. I also remember when the infamous Donald Manes lived about 2 block away!
My church (Refuge Church of Christ Corona my dad was the Pastor)was located at the corner of 34th ave and 101st. For years from at least 1970 to about the early 1980’s it was closed. When the church took it over they painted over the facade with the white paint and added the pull down gate. Behind the theatre on 101st street there is a house located where a parking lot would be. The house must have had something to do the theatre because it sits on the property. There is like a secret driveway back there and if you didn’t know it was there you would pass right by it.
As a kid I always wanted to know what and who lived in the house. The theatre is very long but not wide. I know that the church only uses half of the building as a sanctury, because when you go in you can tell it as if half of the build is blocked off or replaced with a wall.
I am not sure if the church Mt Gerizim is still in operation because it always looks closed even on Sundays. I will have to check that.
I was a kid in the 70’s and went here with my cousins to see 2 first run movies, don’t remember the names but I was so impressed with the lobby and the theatre itself. I went several times before it was closed and then reopened as Tabernacle of Prayer church. I have been in the church and they left a lot of the ornate gold statutes in tack. It was/is the biggest single screen movie theatre I have ever been in.
When the J was still running as an elavated train you never new how big the building was unless you rode the train. The tracks blocked so much of it!
It is now on the NYC historical soceity list.
When you walk buy now, you almost dont realize the great hisory of the building and area of Jamacia Ave.
It is now the Morning Star Baptist Church. I have been there several times for weeding receptions and Gospel concerts. The sanctuary/thearte is gorgeous and well kept. The entrace to the building is very deceiving and small. But once inside you are like wow! And it is on Merrick Blvd and about half a block from Linden Blvd.
Actually it played adult films well into the 80’s. The church that is there now has been there snce about 1997/1998. It had been closed for a few years until the church bought it. I know some people who attend the church.
It is now a Western Beef supermarket but like was said I remember when it was a TSS store in the 70’s and 80’s. I am only 41 and never knew it was once a movie theatre. Does anyone remember when the drive in Burger joint was on the corner of Merrick and Farmers. The name escapes me, but I do believe at one point it used to be a Jack In the Box?
I remember when the theatre was still open in the mid 80’s. For all the late run movies played everyone would walk/drive up to White Castle on Union Turnpkie and Parsons(demolished and now a Rite Aid.)
Right before the theatre was closed or sold, there was a shootout during a movie and I think someone died. And sure enough it was demolished and turned into apartments. I almost movied into the apartments in the early 90’s when I still lived in Queens.
I used to work up at McDonalds and used to ride the 25/34 to get there from Jamacia Ave. Great neighborhood because we had the hospital and IHOP a couple a blocks away. Sadly both are now closed! Can’t remember the name of the hospital.
I know it was still open in the mid 80’s because I saw Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip. It was a fist run movie theatre and was well kept. I believe around 88 or 89 it was turend into a supermarket and I think it is now partially a drug store. I’ll let you know! Also it NEVER became an adult movie venue!
The building was demolished and a school sits where it once was. I attended several functions as a child in the 1970’s when it was a catering hall. It closed in the early 1980’s and fell into disrepair.
Yup Fixer 3 had it right, it was a bowling alley and then turned into a shooting range for about 15 years before it became a restarant and is now The Merrick Charter Academy school
Sadly a new CVS has gone up in its place. And just east of the old place is a new supermarket. I was able to see one of the last movies ever played there. Farenheit 911 by Michael Moore. I think that was in 04 or 05
Just drove by today and its become a mini mall, supermarket and a bed and bath store
Just drove past there on last Sunday and it was closed and the door chained. I guess the church has closed down!
Wow you really took me ack with Adventures Inn. I forgot about the College Point It is exactly on the old Adventures Inn. And your right about the Main St Theater. Do you know if they still show first run movies over there or what?
That was sad what happened to Tony Avena. You know its pretty sad what has happened not so much to the nigborhood but to all of the old places that used to be around. The Prospect was a good theatre and really there was no ned to close it! I have'nt been around there in a while but is there any other theatre around that area any more?
Hey Ed I am almost positive that the hospital is closed now. I beleive it closed about 2000 or so but I am sure it is now closed. Hey I agree about IHOP. It was the only one I would go to other than Northern Blvd as well. The one on Hillside Ave was always less desireable! Hey do you remeber when McDonalds used to be a Jack in the Box? I’m going way back!
Boy talk about memories! I went the Prospect several times as a teen! Don’t remember any of the movies but it was such a cool place. I would always go to Glorias for the best Pizza ever in NYC and when I worked at McDonalds a block away I would always park my car on the side of the Prospect! Does anyone remember the little restaraunt that sold either hotdogs or chinese food right next to or even in the lobby of the theatre? Maybe I’m crazy but this was in the early 80’s late 70’s?
Just had to say I saw the movie Mandingo in 1975 with my dad. He didn’t know it had such steamy sex scenes and took me right out! I was only 10. I know the theatre was open in 1980 becuse I saw the movie, The Blues Brothers with Dan Ackrod and John Belushi. It was 2 screen place by then. What was amazing to me was that it out lived the Loews Valencia. It was no way near as ornate as the Valencia but it was nice. When it first closed it was turned into bunch of little stores. I never knew about the entrance being on 165st but as I think about it I do remember a large opening on that side of the street!
Man do I miss both movie Theatres. I was a kid and would spend many Saturdays on Jamacia Ave. She would give me $5 and I was good. All of my freinds would go!
In looking at the picture that was posted earlier, I forgot that there used to be a SACHS store at the corner of Merrick and Jamacia aves.
It is so sad to see what happened to the RKO, but also what about Main Street as well. I used to work in McDonalds on Main st. in 1980 and when the RKO was still open. It was a great place to see a movie and like has been said before the lobby was awsome. Only the Loews Valencia on Jamacia Ave, and Lowes 175st Harlem looked better(Rev Ikes church). All of main st has changed. Alexanders, then Caldors and now nothing! I also got a job at Crazy Eddie in 1986 and used to work until close, 10pm. Man the area was so empty at night it was scary! Flushing was and is truly a travelers hub for Queens, just like Queens Plaza, Jamacia and Archers Aves and the 179st station. Many of the changes that have happen are usally for the worst but some must be made.
The RKO should be saved if at all possible. But with everything else in life MONEY talks. Someone wants to get make money on the site not spend money! It been 20 years and still no progress. This is unbelieveable! I just hope that someone will step up to the plate and do something quick!
It is really sad to drive by and see its current state and know the history of the RKO! and Main Street as well!
It was a sad day when it became a drug store. As a kid my dad used to go to the Happy Man cleaners a block away! We used to pass the great Marquee all the time! It is a shame I never took photos of it! Also does anyone remember Chicken Delight about 3 or 4 blocks going towards the park? Best tasting chicken in town. I also remember when the infamous Donald Manes lived about 2 block away!
My church (Refuge Church of Christ Corona my dad was the Pastor)was located at the corner of 34th ave and 101st. For years from at least 1970 to about the early 1980’s it was closed. When the church took it over they painted over the facade with the white paint and added the pull down gate. Behind the theatre on 101st street there is a house located where a parking lot would be. The house must have had something to do the theatre because it sits on the property. There is like a secret driveway back there and if you didn’t know it was there you would pass right by it.
As a kid I always wanted to know what and who lived in the house. The theatre is very long but not wide. I know that the church only uses half of the building as a sanctury, because when you go in you can tell it as if half of the build is blocked off or replaced with a wall.
I am not sure if the church Mt Gerizim is still in operation because it always looks closed even on Sundays. I will have to check that.
I was a kid in the 70’s and went here with my cousins to see 2 first run movies, don’t remember the names but I was so impressed with the lobby and the theatre itself. I went several times before it was closed and then reopened as Tabernacle of Prayer church. I have been in the church and they left a lot of the ornate gold statutes in tack. It was/is the biggest single screen movie theatre I have ever been in.
When the J was still running as an elavated train you never new how big the building was unless you rode the train. The tracks blocked so much of it!
It is now on the NYC historical soceity list.
When you walk buy now, you almost dont realize the great hisory of the building and area of Jamacia Ave.
It is now the Morning Star Baptist Church. I have been there several times for weeding receptions and Gospel concerts. The sanctuary/thearte is gorgeous and well kept. The entrace to the building is very deceiving and small. But once inside you are like wow! And it is on Merrick Blvd and about half a block from Linden Blvd.
Actually it played adult films well into the 80’s. The church that is there now has been there snce about 1997/1998. It had been closed for a few years until the church bought it. I know some people who attend the church.
It is now a Western Beef supermarket but like was said I remember when it was a TSS store in the 70’s and 80’s. I am only 41 and never knew it was once a movie theatre. Does anyone remember when the drive in Burger joint was on the corner of Merrick and Farmers. The name escapes me, but I do believe at one point it used to be a Jack In the Box?
I remember when the theatre was still open in the mid 80’s. For all the late run movies played everyone would walk/drive up to White Castle on Union Turnpkie and Parsons(demolished and now a Rite Aid.)
Right before the theatre was closed or sold, there was a shootout during a movie and I think someone died. And sure enough it was demolished and turned into apartments. I almost movied into the apartments in the early 90’s when I still lived in Queens.
I used to work up at McDonalds and used to ride the 25/34 to get there from Jamacia Ave. Great neighborhood because we had the hospital and IHOP a couple a blocks away. Sadly both are now closed! Can’t remember the name of the hospital.
I know it was still open in the mid 80’s because I saw Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip. It was a fist run movie theatre and was well kept. I believe around 88 or 89 it was turend into a supermarket and I think it is now partially a drug store. I’ll let you know! Also it NEVER became an adult movie venue!