Motor City Skating Rink and Sussex Drugs at 9 Mile and Van Dyke July 1986 Photos by Gene McCRARY

 

Motor City Skating Rink building was originally the Vandale Theatre, built in abt 1933-4 next to the Garland Bank (latter Sussex Drugs), The theater was then purchased in 1935 by, William J. SCHULTE. (1898-1969) In 1938 the theater temporarily shut down operations and the building was extensively remodeled by T. J. Jagmin and Co. of Detroit, in a automotive industry theme, with murals of the automotive workers painted on canvas and hung on the interior walls and maintaining a art deco design.. The movie house reopened in 1939 as the Motor City Theater with a brand new neon sign and marquee in front, supplied by C. Le Vasseur Co.. It was still under the management of Schulte Amusement Co. known as the Shulte Circuit or Schulte's Theaters. Owner William J. SCHULTE of Detroit and later Birmingham, MI., who managed the largest independent chain of small indoor theaters in Michigan, was located at 433 Chandler St., then 17325 Parkside Street, Detroit, MI., eventually headquartered Fox Theater Bldg Detroit . Two of Schulte's many other theaters were the Ryan Theatre at 9 mile and Ryan Rd. and the Liberty in Centerline. After SCHULTE being severely injured in a automobile accident Christmas Day in 1949 he temporarily retired to Arizona to nurse his health, the theater was being actively pursued for purchase by David KORMAN. However Schulte responded by building two more out door theater drive in's in 1950.
Schulte's partner was Samuel H. BARRETT (1889-1974) while Anthony D. CICCI (1899-1973) was the general manager of field operations.
The building was sold abt 1960 to Shaw D. HAKIM (1909-1985)of Detroit and later Grosse Point, who also owned the Fairview Gardens Roller Rink at 11000 Mack Ave in Detroit. He converted the Motor City Theater into the Motor City Roller Skating Rink, later taken over and managed by his son Edward HAKIM. Eddie also added a popular rock concert venue. The property was eventually sold and both buildings were demolished in July of 1986. The property is now the site of Burger King and a mini mall.