Building Photos

This Site Began Research March Of 2000/Construction April 2004

Welcome To The Motor City Roller Rink - Theatre Historical Project!
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Please visit often, this website is always being updated!!!!
 

Here We Will Post Photos/Info Of The MotorCity Building Outside, & Inside
More Outside Photos Of The MotorCity Roller Rink
 

You can "Click" on most of the photos for a Larger View
 

   News Paper
  Article About
   Motorcity
  News Paper
  Article About
   Motorcity
    Outside View from
 Van Dyke looking south
    View from Van Dyke
       looking West
  East Side of Building
     on Van Dyke
   Roof Of Motor City     MC Marquee     MC Marquee  Marquee at street level  Full view of
   Marquee
    Front Of Motor City
           in the 60's
  MC Marquee at Night  Back entrance of MC's
 Night club in the 80's
 Back entrance of MC's
  Night club in the 80's

 

***Below some Newly updated info/Photos about the north west corner of 9-Van Dyke from***
Kurt Mccrary

Clik this link >>See the facebook group formed by Kurt for more info & photos from the old Villiage Of Van Dyke
 

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

 

  9 Mile and Van Dyke
    Roller Rink in the
 background July 1986
 Motor City and Sussex
   Drugs July of 1986
 Sussex Drugs July 1986    Sussex Drugs
       1986
 Sussex Drugs 2 across
  the street from where
   Motor City stood



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.
 

Inside Photos Of The MotorCity Roller Rink
  A look At the
    Pool In the
    Basement
"Welcome Motor City"
 Neon Sign (after it was moved from the curtain wall)
  Mirror Balls on Ceiling    A Look At The
   Skating Floor
   Skate Rental Area West Wall/Skating Floor  East Wall Skating Floor     Sound Booth
     looking south
  Video screen/skating
   floor looking north
  Skate rental/changing
        area
   Inside Sound
    Booth left
 Inside Sound Booth left     Inside Sound
    Booth Center
      Inside Sound
      Booth right
    Sound booth from
    Skating Floor
Steve Schang,
Bill Bertrand &
    George
   Wojtuniecki
      MC's Pinball
    Machines area
    MC's Pinball
   Machines area
 MC's Snack Bar Area
  looking into sound
  booth from the
   skating floor
       Locker Area  Lobby area leading
    to Skating floor
    Eddie at the
    Snack "Bar"
 Linda Hakim
 in Skate rental
  Eddie's hot tub
     upstairs
  Eddie's hot tub
    upstairs
   Eddie's Bar upstairs  Card Table & Bowling
     Machine Upstairs
  Eddie & the "Cash"

     News Article
  About Eddie/MC

            

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