Status: Gone, now a RV Dealer, Division name changed to Stardust in the 70's? (Michigandriveins.com 10/98)

Update: An inspection of the unused back half of the Division Drive-In site yielded a large pile of speaker poles with their teardrop-shaped concrete foundations still attached. (Michigandriveins.com 4/27/03)

Update: Grand Rapids' first drive-in theatre was known simply as "Drive-In Theatre" when it first opened on May 29th, 1948. It was renamed the "Division Drive-In" sometime in 1948 or 49, probably to help differentiate it from the Beltline Drive-In which opened in July 1948. It was again renamed in the 1960's, to the "Stardust Drive-In." (Michigandriveins.com 11/13/04)

Update: I came to Grand Rapids in 1965. I watched the original "Night of The Living Dead" there. 1965? It closed a year or so after (to many porno movies). (Thomas Weed 7/27/06)

Update: The original Night Of the Living Dead movie was released in October, 1968. And, the Stardust was open well into the 1970's. (Michigandriveins.com 8/20/06)

Update: In approximately 1962 Floyd Bloss, who at that time owned the Hastings Drive-In, leased this drive-in from a organization in Detroit and he renamed it Stardust Drive-In. It was not in operation when he took over. Shortly after the opening my friend and I went there, only to find out the sound system was defective. Having been schooled in electronics I asked if I could help. I was able to repair the problem and then on was invited to be a partner and the projectionist. We showed family fair until Loeks drive-ins became to much competition. Mr Bloss at that time began running somewhat objectional movies. Thats when all the problems started. It was down hill from then on. I did not like that enviroment and left in 1964. Mr Bloss also opened the Burton theater running the same type of films. The Drive-In started out well but finally closed on a bad note. During its good time we had concerts at intermission (Bobby Vee) I do remember. I do not know what ever happened to Floyd Bloss. (John Whitman 8/26/06)

Update: It was spring of 1962, just returned from the military, a friend and I decided to take in a movie. In the process of watching the film there was little to no sound. I being in electronics approached the operator of the theatre to see if he would like me to investigate what the problem was...in a short time I had repaired the sound system..I was then invited to join the staff and ended up as a partner and projectionist. The drive in was renamed the Stardust drive in..the movies were 2nd run and of family fare for the remainder of the year...In the spring of 1963 to drawn more attention to the theatre a large crane boom was installed in fromt of the drive in to be used as a large sign..it was painted yellow. During the spring of 1963 we ,to be competitive booked live concerts during intermission.. the first was that of Bobby Vee..it helped business but not that much.. It was then decided to begin running "x" rated movies...business improved tremendously however neighborhood complaints( people living adjacent to the theatre could see the screen) prompted city and county officials to investigate..this situation caused me to withdraw from the business the fall of that year..I moved on to another location. The screen tower was large and was constructed of wood with living quarters on the front side. I believe the theatre operated for several years after until it closed in the mid 70''s.. The original operator of the Stardust Drive-In still in the business and is in Las Vegas at age 83. (Waterwinterwonderland.com/John Whitman 12/21/08)