The Stardust Nightclub Has Been Demolished

The Stardust Nightclub Has Been Demolished

It was a cold and rainy Friday morning when wreaking crews started tearing down the Southern Side of the historic Stardust Nightclub. Starting roughly around 11 am, visitors snap photos and videos of the top levels of the club playing one final sound, a large thump.

It was on Thursday the Wildwood Video Archive broke the news that the Stardust Nightclub would be demolished.

Since the summer of 2018, the Stardust Nightclub, situated at 248 E Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood, New Jersey, has been vacant and deserted after shutting down.

The Stardust Nightclub, which opened its doors in 1963, swiftly became a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Known for its lively atmosphere and vibrant music, the club was a hotspot for young people looking to let their hair down and have a great time.

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Over the years, the Stardust played host to a plethora of famous performers, including Chubby Checker, the Four Seasons, and the Temptations. It was also a favored venue for dance competitions and beauty pageants and was an integral part of the social scene in Wildwood.

On March 12th, 2019, Wall Street Holdings 1 INC acquired the Stardust Nightclub for $400,000. In the same week, it came to light that the company had also purchased Colleen’s location along with its parking lot and another building on Lincoln Avenue.

Wall Street Holdings 1 INC is affiliated with the parent company Choice Hotels, a hospitality company that owns several hotel brands such as Rodeway Inn, IHG Hotels, Radisson Hotels, Holiday Inn, Ascend, Comfort Inn, and Quality Inn, among others.

The purpose of the purchase was to construct a 96-room motel named “Wildwood Comfort Inn & Suites.”

After the property was sold, the Stardust liquor license (0514-33-038-003) became inactive and was sold to Renzi Enterprises, LLC, a company that manages a few establishments on the boardwalk.

Despite receiving approval from the Wildwood Zoning and Planning Board, as well as a CAFRA report, the project was eventually abandoned and the lots were put up for sale at around $3.5 Million.

Earlier this week, business owners near the Stardust received messages from the city that demolition crews would be making their way onto the property to remove the building.

As of the writing of this article, there have not been any plans submitted to the Wildwood Planning and zoning board for this lot. The only thing the permit granted was the demolition and leveling off of the land.

One would think since a 96-room motel has been approved for the lots, that their new owner, who also owns motels, would be building one there.

While there aren’t public records out on the property, it looks like Choice Hotels sold the property, including all the Collen’s lots, privately to a very well-known company here on the island.

Our friends Robert Foster, Micheal Harris, and Cindy Riemer (from Keller Williams Realty Jersey Shore) have recorded videos and photos for us. (See Foster’s video at the bottom of this article).

By the end of Friday, crews were able to load six containers full of debris. The main beams of the Stardust Motel look to be still in place but most of it has been demolished.

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If the weather holds off, crews will be back in the morning to take down the remaining sections of the building. The goal is to have the entire property leveled out by Monday.

For many, the Stardust was more than just a nightclub – it was a symbol of Wildwood’s rich history and culture. The loss of the venue is a reminder that change is inevitable, and that progress often comes at a price.

Despite the conflicting emotions surrounding the demolition, many are hopeful that the new development will help revitalize the area and bring new opportunities to Wildwood. With its prime location and stunning ocean views, the new project is expected to be a valuable addition to the town.

Stardust’s legacy will undoubtedly live on in the memories of those who danced and reveled within its walls. While the end of an era is always challenging, it’s important to keep in mind that new beginnings are always around the corner.