Buildings at Burton's Miracle Twin Drive-In torn down as neighbors wonder about next move at location BURTON, MI -- Once home to a bustling hangout for children and adults alike, Burton’s Miracle Twin Drive-In Theater now sits vacant with broken glass littering the ground, silent speakers hanging on poles and blank screens as a backdrop for neighbors next door. Burton resident Dawn Reyes, whose backyard view from her home at Centennial Farms is one of uneven pavement and weeds seeping through cracks at the former East Court Street movie house, frequented the business in its heyday while growing up in Davison. “That was what we did in high school,” she said. “Go to the movies every Friday and Saturday night. That was a staple for Davison kids because we were so close. ” A concession standing at the back of the property was recently torn down, Reyes said, along with ticket booths. The demolished materials were taken away last week. Rachel Lulay, a spokesperson for National Amusements, Inc. , confirmed the company has paid for demolition of buildings on the site, but there was no response as to why the action took place. The location closed in 2008. A representative for Realty company Lee & Associates, which is also handling the sale of the shuttered Showcase Cinemas building on East Court Street, said the 60-acre drive-in property listed online for $1. 6 million has not been sold. Reyes has seen vehicles coming back and forth out of the site and hopes for further movement on the property. “This is not very pretty back here,” she said. “I know it’s for sale. I hope they take those screens down. ” Burton police Lt. Brian Warden said with demolition taking place scrappers may have been in the area, but he noted “I have not heard of anything pressing or an issue over there or anything at this point. ” Ron Kaiser took his family to the drive-in when it was still in operation, taking in movies as often as possible. “Me and my family and kids grew up in there,” he said of spending summer evenings at the facility. “It’d been there for quite a few years. Kaiser would like to see a green space or something else take the place of the current facility, and he was sad about the closure of drive-ins in the area. Of the previous drive-ins in Genesee County - which included the Dort Drive-In, Flint Drive-In, Northland Drive-In, Silver Drive-In, South Dort Drive-In and Westside Drive-In - the lone remaining operation is the U. S. 23 Drive-In off Fenton Road in Mundy Township. “I hate to see a thing dying like that,” he said.

4/25/2012 - Clint

BURTON, MI - Once home to a bustling hangout for children and adults alike, Burton’s Miracle Twin Drive-In Theater now sits vacant with broken glass littering the ground, silent speakers hanging on poles and blank screens as a backdrop for neighbors next door. Burton resident Dawn Reyes, whose backyard view from her home at Centennial Farms is one of uneven pavement and weeds seeping through cracks at the former East Court Street movie house, frequented the business in its heyday while growing up in Davison. “That was what we did in high school,” she said. “Go to the movies every Friday and Saturday night. That was a staple for Davison kids because we were so close. ” A concession standing at the back of the property was recently torn down, Reyes said, along with ticket booths. The demolished materials were taken away last week. Rachel Lulay, a spokesperson for National Amusements, Inc. , confirmed the company has paid for demolition of buildings on the site, but there was no response as to why the action took place. The location closed in 2008. A representative for Realty company Lee & Associates, which is also handling the sale of the shuttered Showcase Cinemas building on East Court Street, said the 60-acre drive-in property listed online for $1. 6 million has not been sold. Reyes has seen vehicles coming back and forth out of the site and hopes for further movement on the property. “This is not very pretty back here,” she said. “I know it’s for sale. I hope they take those screens down. ” Burton police Lt. Brian Warden said with demolition taking place scrappers may have been in the area, but he noted “I have not heard of anything pressing or an issue over there or anything at this point. ” Ron Kaiser took his family to the drive-in when it was still in operation, taking in movies as often as possible. “Me and my family and kids grew up in there,” he said of spending summer evenings at the facility. “It’d been there for quite a few years. Kaiser would like to see a green space or something else take the place of the current facility, and he was sad about the closure of drive-ins in the area. Of the previous drive-ins in Genesee County - which included the Dort Drive-In, Flint Drive-In, Northland Drive-In, Silver Drive-In, South Dort Drive-In and Westside Drive-In - the lone remaining operation is the U. S. 23 Drive-In off Fenton Road in Mundy Township. “I hate to see a thing dying like that,” he said.

4/22/2012 - Randy

Yesterday 4/21, went by and seems as though they are slowly dismantling the buildings as now the ticket booths are totally gone (just the lane poles remain). Regarding the large billboard sign, one side has been taken down, but the side facing west is still intact. Both screens are still standing as well. just thought to give a progress report!.

4/12/2012 - Rich

Hello everyone just to let you all know I was there on 4/10/12 the cocession stand has been torn down they really left a mess the large sign is gone the screens remain the ramps remain the ticket. Booths remain.

3/31/2012 - Randy

Today Sat - 3/31/12, I went by the drive in and BOTH SCREENS are still up (red one & blue one). also the ticket booths are still standing, the roof over them has been removed, but the buildings are still there. The billboard sign is still standing as well. so not sure why it is being posted as 'torn down'. I did not trespass to see if concessions/projection booths are still there.

3/27/2012 - Rich

i found a picture on line showing part of the twin torn down could anyone confirm this another sad day 3/27/2012. From the webmaster: Yes the Twin has been torn down.

7/16/2011 - Daniel Baldwin

Howdy, It is sad that another part of history in this area has shut it's doors. I can remember as a kid growing up and looking forward to the weekends so that we could go to the drive end. Then as a teenager I remember going to the the drive end all the time and even pushing a couple of girls out of the snow when they got stuck. Then as a parent we would take our kids there as well. Now that I am a grandpa I am unable to share this great activity with our grand kids. I can only tell stories, unfortunately not making more stories. If at all possible please reopen the Miracle Twin Drive End because it is very sadly missed and was a part of my life, a part that I would love to share to our family again. Thank You! Daniel Baldwin.

8/18/2010 - Scott Davidson

I spent my entire childhood living in the Bentley district. The Miracle Twin Drive In was my parents home away from home...for them. Mom and Dad may have taken us kids to see "Jaws or Star Wars", but they secretly wanted what they knew would happen with their hearts...once the kids were asleep. I live in Flushing now, but I beg the owner ...PLEASE think of the world around and within Burton/Davison/Flint...We may not have your deep pocket, but we do have a memory. Scott Davidson

10/9/2009 - Garrett Pierce

On our way up to do a little sight seeing today, we past this place. I knew that it had closed, but I was a little stunned to see that the marqee''s at the front gate are already gone. Just the one, west- facing high "Miracle Twin" sign remains. There were already a considerable amount of weeds covering the lot it looked like too. Very sad. I used to work with a fellow who grew up near the place and had all these neat stories about sneaking in to watch movies after dark through a hole they cut in the back lot fence. Must have been fun. I hope someone buys it and keeps it going.

7/30/2009 - John

I noticed the FOR SALE sign at the Miracle Twin

Is there any information available to the public on the PROPERTY SALE listing, PRICE, and if any offers have been made for NEW OWNERSHIP of the Drive-In?

7/5/2009 - Sherri

The U.S. 23 Drive in is ok too only 5 miles from Miracle Twin. They do double features and have a web site to tell you whats playing.

7/3/2009 - Sam

Me and my family would drive from algonac twice a month to this drive in....can we all go to National Amusment THEATERS wearing pajamas, eating a pizza and smoking a cigarette?? maybe throw a ball around in the theater before the movie starts!!

3/14/2009 - Randy

I think it is sad to see another landmark go on the block. It is sad enough with all the layoffs happening, but I see it as the fun entertainment of simple things (like going to a drive in on a weekend) are disapating as well.
I went there on occassion in recent years and did not notice any ''riff-raff''...regardless...another sign of the times.
Sad, but at least I can say that I went there!

3/6/2009 - Flint Journal

BURTON, Michigan -- Throngs of people have enjoyed the drive-in movie experience: Parents who brought their young children who fell asleep halfway through the second movie. Young lovebirds smooching in the back seat. Teenagers goofing off outside the car. Now all these memories may be just that -- memories. Drive-in movie theaters in Genesee County may soon be a thing of the past. The owners of the Miracle Twin Drive-in in Burton said Tuesday it will not reopen. The announcement by National Amusements comes on the heels of U.S. 23 Twin Drive-In Theatre in Mundy Township being put up for sale. "We wish to thank our loyal patrons who have shared great movies and memories with us over the years, and hope to see them at our other area theaters," a National Amusements statement said. Spokeswoman Wanda Whitson did not give a reason why it was closing, but drive-ins nationwide have been dwindling for a long time. Only about 10 remain in Michigan. "When I was younger, it was fun to go watch two movies," said Randy McCallister, 40, of Burton. "We used to take Hamady (Bros.) grocery bags and fill them with buttery popcorn. We took out the lawn chairs and sat and watched the movie." The Miracle Drive-in is literally in McCallister's backyard, and he was shocked to hear that the 2008 season was its last. "Last summer, there were people lining up," he said. "It was so busy." Tina Pilarski, 37, of Burton took her teenage children to the drive-in for the first time last summer to see "Iron Man." "It rained the whole time, the weather was awful," she said. "But (the kids) really liked it. They thought it was cool." Bonnie Rogers, who has lived in the modular home park behind the theater for 12 years, could barely contain her excitement. "(The management) didn't know how to control the people," she said. "There was a lot of riffraff. Some people didn't even watch the movie, they just played their radio loud." The theater opened in 1972. In 1975, the theater's previous owners got into some trouble by showing "Bambi" and "The Happy Hooker" at the same time. The Burton City Council was not amused, sending the owners a letter protesting the combination, according to Journal files. These days the theater is showing its age. Weeds are strewn throughout the property and the sign that overlooks I-69 is weathered and worn. The Miracle Twin is one of a slew of outdoor and indoor movie theaters to close recently. Courtland Cinemas in Burton closed in January, Fenton Cinemas closed in December and Showcase Cinemas East in Burton and Cinema 10 in Flint Township closed in 2007. A for sale sign also went up at U.S. 23 Twin on Sunday after nearly 60 years in business. The theater is expected to be open this summer, but it's unclear what will happen after that. The owner died last month, and the remaining family members live out of state most of the year, so they plan to sell the 35-acre property. It is also unclear what will happen to the Miracle Drive-in property, said Burton Councilwoman Laurie Tinnin. She said she would like to advertise the area for commercial use. Tinnin, who grew up in Flint's west side, said she has many fond memories of the Miracle Twin. "As a child I went there with my family all the time," she said. "It was a way for our family to take us and not hire a baby sitter. We used to be able to wear pajamas and have a great time. It was a wonderful place for families."

2/26/2009 - Unknown

FYI - The Miracle Twin is not scheduled to open this year.

8/31/2008 - Kris

We love the Miracle Twin drive in!!!!! Every year I count down to when it opens in April and am sad when it closes in September. I have brought my oldest one every since he was a baby and now my youngest gets to enjoy it also. It is safe, clean and friendly. The shows are always great and my young ones fall asleep just in time for the next movie for the grown ups. It is a tradition to bring in pizza but we never can resist the consession stand. It is a tradition that I love and will continue. Oh by the way my current husband and I used to go to this same drive-in while we were dating. I just love it!!! Many thanks to Miracle Twin drive in for making going to the movies family time again.

7/19/2008 - Mel

I am a 31 year old mother of 2 boys. I am happy to say that, this drive in, still gives me that youth feeling. I remember watching some of the best movies with family and friends, throwing a football around or playing tag before the movie started. Miracle Twin has kept that same feeling for many people in this area. I am glad that I can now share this experience with my boys. Thank you National Amusements for keeping that childhood feeling alive for all us big kids out there.

5/13/2007 - Kelly

We went last night it was a great experience for our family our kids had never been and thought they didn''t have them anymore, it was worth the hour drive!! very nice place.

5/11/2007 - Kelly Miceli

It is open 7 days a week for the 2007 season On May 11th Spiderman 3 is playing with Ghostrider

4/23/2007 - Unknown

Opened for the season on 4/20/07.

6/19/2006 - Rosalind

As of 2006, The Miracle Twin in Michigan and The Kenwood in Kentucky are National Amusements only remaining Drive-Ins. The Miracle Twin looks like s fun place to be. I will have to visit if I am ever in Michigan!