07/15/2026
Last week I saw a post on social media from another drive in theater in Illinois that really resonated with me and I wanted to share a slightly amended version with you all. Please don't be offended by the message, we know so many of you are regular supporters and have kept us here for the past 74 years. We just want to highlight some of the reality of the drive-in theater business and what you can do to help make sure we're here for years to come!
First of all, yes the Central will be listed for sale. The potential buyers are people who honor the 74 year legacy of Central and want it to continue. I am closer to 60 years old. I have given the best part of life to this business including the last 21 years. Central will be here even if I am not I am certain. As my health continues to decline our kids or a new owner will take the challenge. It can be a deep satisfying business. So many good memories but a d it's a big but....
Drive-ins do not survive on memories; they survive on attendance and their food and drink sales. One of the most common misconceptions people tell themselves about a local Drive-In is:
“They must be doing fine.”
“They’re probably packed every weekend.”
“They’ll always be there.”
Unfortunately, that is not the truth. It is those thoughts that reveal why drive-ins are lost each year.
Tonight Jul 14 Tuesday we had one car. Only one car on Sun July 12.
People love the memories, nostalgia, and idea of drive-in movies.
They even love saying they grew up going there, had a first kiss under the stars, or enjoyed a show with friends and families sharing the experience with new generations.
Unfortunately, these memories and ideas do not keep the gates open. The love is why drive-ins still exist, but the actions are needed to keep them there.
Attendance, awareness and support is what allows a drive-in to be sustainable.
A drive-in does not survive because people remember it. It survives because people show up week after week to see movies, purchase snacks and share this unique experience with new people as often as possible. Reality is, people can only get to the drive-in once or twice a year for most. Heck, many can't tell you when they last went without saying 'it's been years'.
Awareness that the drive-in is here, available to attend for a large variety of events and movies, and your word-of-mouth recommendations truly drive our survival. Because every car, ticket, popcorn/food sale matters.
Every single night matters in the equation to keep a drive-in open.
When a drive-in closes, the same words always come too late:
“We were meaning to go.” "I'd go if I could just find the time."
“We thought they were doing okay.” “We didn’t know.” and the one we hear so often it hurts: "I wish I would have known about this place/movie/event sooner"
Whether you go this weekend, plan to come later for something fun, or simply tell your coworkers, friends and family members that we still exist; you will absolutely make a difference for the drive-ins that are open in 2026.
So, since you still have a local drive-in to enjoy, please do not wait for “sometime.” Go now or plan a trip soon. Take the kids. Take the grandkids. Take your husband. Take your wife. Take a friend. Buy the popcorn & movie treats. Have dinner at the drive-in. Sit under the stars and enjoy a respite from the digital world we all live in with its constant alerts and notifications. And be a part of keeping that screen alive and the drive-in experience available for others to enjoy in the future.
Because the Drive-In is not just a movie theater, it's a tradition passed down for decades and generations with countless stories, memories and moments that define a part of our lives. It's living history that is still available for you to enjoy thanks to you, the people that love drive-in movies and the tenacity of hundreds of drive-in owners and operators around the world.
Once the screen goes dark, it is not easily brought back. The Central Drive In is proud to be one of the last 270 drive-ins open in the United States and to be the oldest continuously operating drive in movie theatre in the state of Virginia. Never missing a season since 1952 opening.
We will have many great family movies coming up over the next month and a half and we are going to make them special. Currently showing Toy Story 5 with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jesse on the big screen. This Thur starts Moana first live action. On July 30 at the end of the month Spiderman will be here for his new movie.
We work hard to spread awareness every single day! We also go above and beyond showing movies because we care about you, your experience and keeping this part of history alive. It's not easy, but it's worth it and all for you, our supporters!
We have hosted college graduation even Christian concerts but it seems lately people have forgotten us. We are here we support other small
Business by purchasing your produce hot dog chili, buns. We eat locally on our off at days at your pizza shop or gas station. It's do or die time. Don't let this end. Please like click and share spread the news. Let's hit a record for Spiderman. Let's show the movie company we are not absolute. Not later, but now. It's an investment in history you won't regret.
THANK YOU!
Let's not become lost to time like other area staples such as Rim Rock Railroad or Bessie's Diner or Steak n Shake. We don't want to become a storage center or part of a county landfill. All we need is just customers. Money cures almost all issues, I saw the indoor putt place in Pennington Gap explain how they had very little customer and after explaining we are both here to benefit you. It could just be that entertainment is no longer needed this way. We hope that's not the case and we can serve you for many more years until I probably die in that box office one day. How many people can really say they loved their dream. Purchased their boyhood dream business and made it even more successful. Survived a pandemic even only to lose the war to streaming and new technology. Thanks for reading to the end of this post. Peace and love Buddy
