Rocky Point Drive-In Still Sparks Nostalgia

Robert Fazzalaro said that if he hit Lotto, he'd reopen the drive-in movie theater in Rocky Point. Danielle Moore said, "we would totally go! Love drive-ins." And Laura Tallon Witt said it would be "awesome" to have a drive-in movie theater around here again.

Post a picture of the old Rocky Point drive-in on Facebook and you'll get a ton of comments and memories. Many of them involved reopening the movie theater if only the person had some sort of windfall.

Although history is not on the side of a future business venture (the drive-in closed in 1988 after 27 years and none remain in the area) the possibility looms in the heads of locals as large as the screen that once showed big blockbuster films.

"Just today I drove by saying if I had the funds I'd open another," said Marie Giannino-Stewart. This prompted people to like her comment in agreement on Facebook when we asked about it.

Steve Sobczak said he'd love to see it reopen instead of another big box superstore, as has been proposed in the past.

Marie Giannino-Stewart agrees and said she'd "do it right."

"Maybe a 50's theme, roller skates and a burger place," she said. "Would be great."

With outdoor movies a popular summer attraction in nearby Port Jefferson village and at Heritage Park in Mt. Sinai, perhaps it's not such a crazy idea after all.

John Moroney has seen them open up again elsewhere.

"Hell yes," he said. "They work upstate. Going this weekend to see Grown Ups 2  and Lone Ranger at $6 a person."

Karen Gale agreed.

"Bring back the drive-in," she wrote.

Words echoed by Jeanette Rivera- Streeff and Jackie Amalfitano.

"I loved going there as a kid," Amalfitano said. "It would be great if it re-opened again."

Memories flooded out as former residents recalled childhoods spent watching movies in Rocky Point.

"I remember we would go weekly. We would pack lots of food and bring our pajamas," Linda DiCamillo said. "What a nice memory. Loved the Rocky Point drive-in."

Karen Ann also remembered going there with her children.

"Great memories when my kids were young," she said. "Would love to see it come back."

Now if only there was someone with the dough to make it happen.

"Lets find someone to fund it," said Marie Giannino-Stewart.

What do you think? Would a drive-in movie theater be a losing proposition at the former site or is it an idea whose time has come back into vogue? Do you have fond memories of the Rocky Point dive-in? Share your thoughts and memories with us.