Northside Drive-In

2521 N. Tamiami Trail,
Fort Myers, FL 33903

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Carmike Cinemas, Floyd Theaters

Functions: Swap Meet

Previous Names: Fort Myers Drive-In

Nearby Theaters

Northside Drive-In

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

Recent comments (view all 10 comments)

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on January 25, 2011 at 2:39 pm

Thanks Chuck for the great pictures.

AndyCallahanMajorMajor
AndyCallahanMajorMajor on July 22, 2012 at 7:53 am

Here are my pictures from July 2012. The place is in decent shape.

benbaldassano
benbaldassano on October 24, 2012 at 7:07 pm

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!!!!!

jwmovies
jwmovies on October 31, 2012 at 1:47 am

Above address does not map correctly. Use North Fort Myers.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on September 23, 2013 at 3:38 pm

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.

Mindgrind
Mindgrind on June 3, 2017 at 11:07 pm

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.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on July 9, 2019 at 6:16 pm

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.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on May 10, 2022 at 2:39 pm

The screen tower is gone. I’m thinking the concession stand will be next.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on October 8, 2022 at 2:19 pm

The screen tower was demolished in 2020 according to searches from Google Earth and Maps.

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