Comments and Well Wishes

Below are some of the messages we've received about Bob's passing and the future of the drive in. Please also visit Durham Screen Savers , The Big Blog and Bull City Rising for additional commentary and to have the opportunity to post your own message!

I used to live in Durham and whenever my mom didn't want to drive to the Multi-Plex, we would go the Star-Lite drive in,I know you saw THOUSANDS of people a week, but I was a little kid ALWAYS hanging out in your video rental section while waiting for the movie to start. Anyway I have since moved to Texas and four years after I have lived here we discovered they have a Drive-In and I thought about Starlite and I thought I would look up online to see if it was still running, and I was sad to find out what happened to the owner, I never knew that was him asking "How many in the trunk?" but I was sad to hear of his death and because of it the closing of a place I had a LOT of memories from. I used to always play in that playground no matter what, I would always look at the Video Rentals...even though I never rented one, and I was ALWAYS raving about your Cheeseburgers. I used to come all the time, I saw the movie "Life" there THREE times, I saw "The Matrix" and "Austin Powers 2" and slew of others, and although I live down here in Texas now its sad to hear that one of my favorite places has shut down, and I hope that maybe one day you could re-open it and bring some joy back into the heart of Durham! Former Starlite customer and fan forever, - William C

We will greatly miss Bob and his dedicated love to the Starlite. Growing up in Durham many things have changed; the Starlite was an escape to relive better and more simple times. What could be more enjoyable than to be under the moonlight on a warm summer night and look up to see the stars while watching a great movie. It doesnt get any better. It wrenches my insides out that we have lost a great American Icon. Thanks Bob for giving us a piece of Americana that will always forever be in my memory. - Gene Bahama

I was raised in the durham area when i was younger in elementary school and i still have remembrances of Mr. Groves and the Starlite drive in movie theater. its sad to hear that the owner died due to heart failure it only shows one how precious life is. I cant believe that i cant go see movies there any more i was wishing i would be able to let my kids enjoy such a historical tradition to american culture. I hope that the starlite some how stays open because there is no drive in movie theater around the triangle area. Rip Mr. Bob Groves and Rip starlite both names will life in my head and heart forever. Love always, Ray Raleigh

I am deeply saddened to hear that the drive-in will most likely never reopen. I grew up just down the road, on Midland Terrace, and spent many, many nights watching movies there, and many evenings waiting for the movie to start, playing in the playground in front of the screen. As a father of an eight-year old girl now, I couldn’t wait to take her to see her first drive-in movie a couple of summers ago. The experience was as great as I could have hoped for. Her sitting in my lap, us being able to talk about the movie without worrying about bothering other people in a theater… We’ve made many trips since. I feel truly heartbroken that this might not be an experience we can ever have again. I completely understand the land value issue, especially with new shopping centers opening nearby. But if anyone does show interest in reopening the drive-in, include my family on the list of guaranteed patrons. Thanks for the memories, and I pray we get the opportunity to make more. - Leonard B. Durham

"I just wanted to say that I loved the Starlite Drive-In. I was devastated to hear of Mr. Groves' passing. I really hope that this isn't the end to the Starlite. My husband and I love to go and get a corndog and a coke and be able to sit outside with our radio and watch a movie in the summertime. It's one of those things that makes you happy. Summers just won't ever be the same!" - Shannon J.

"I grew up with a drive in (Milford, NH), which is still open and sometimes had lines miles long when I lived there. I think it’s an important way for the community to gather, and for friends to see one another, and a great way to see movies with little children without having to worry about disturbing others when the kids get antsy. It’s such a shame that all of that work went into reopening the Starlite after the storm damage and fire, and now for it to be closed." - Carolyn

I am deeply saddened to hear that the drive-in will most likely never reopen.  I grew up just down the road, on Midland Terrace, and spent many, many nights watching movies there, and many evenings waiting for the movie to start, playing in the playground in front of the screen.  As a father of an eight-year old girl now, I couldn’t wait to take her to see her first drive-in movie a couple of summers ago.  The experience was as great as I could have hoped for.  Her sitting in my lap, us being able to talk about the movie without worrying about bothering other people in a theater…  We’ve made many trips since.  I feel truly heartbroken that this might not be an experience we can ever have again.  I completely understand the land value issue, especially with new shopping centers opening nearby.  But if anyone does show interest in reopening the drive-in, include my family on the list of guaranteed patrons.  Thanks for the memories, and I pray we get the opportunity to make more.  - Leonard B.

We are truly saddened about Bob. He was a very dear friend to myself and my daughter and her children. We will miss him dearly and so hope the drive-in stays open if all possible. Our best regards to the family and the staff. Sincerely; Gwen, Contessa, Krystal, Amber, Deanna & William