Recently, we (my wife and I) have been discussing what we would like to do with some property I acquired about 15 years ago. Why is this important to discuss now after having it for so long? Well, I wanted to sell it, it's 9.92 acres, I traded some work and $1000.00 dollars for it when I got it. This property is doing nothing. We had hoped to build a house with a pool and a workshop out there. Later we changed our minds, as it is too far for either of us to drive to work and we don't want to change jobs. I recently had an offer I am still kicking myself in the ass for from a development company who wanted to put up self storage buildings. Which, gave me an idea, why not do that myself. Why? Because it is too far from where I live, I don't want to commute there, and I already have a full time job and a part time job. So I should have sold it, right? I was talked out of it, I was told something better would come up. But, the only thing I can think of is I let $87,682.00 slip through my fingers. But, my wife has a great idea that I have been looking into. She asked, "why not build a drive in movie theatre?" Why not, right?
Sounds like a smashing idea. It made me think of being a kid again and us all going to see a movie at the drive in. My research has shown there are but a handful operational in this area which really makes me wonder if any one would be interested. Reminds me of the line, "build it and they will come". But would they? Is it still all about location, location, location? After the novelty wears off, then what? It really leaves me the question if we would be the only ones that would go to our drive in. We have a local one we like to go to out here where we live, but we go for the novelty of it. Sure, I do prefer the drive in versus the theatre. Mostly because of the price, one gets raped when they go to see a movie. Aha needs that? At the drive in one brings their own food, drinks, blankets, and whatever they want to bring. Sure, we would have a snack bar like the old ones would have, more like a high school football field concession stand.
So, I don't know. I am still kicking around the idea. I think I would almost need to do a website and blog exclusively for the drive in, I think it would help greatly. It looks like I have alot of thinking to do and alot of planning to do. There are so many what ifs that it could just about kill a grown man.
Anyone have any input? Ideas? I would love to hear y'alls opinions on this subject. Would you go to a drive in theatre? Do you go to one now? Do people even like them any longer? I just need to remember ................ build it and they will come. Perhaps. Maybe.
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tough decision to make. i believe people still go to theaters, but business can be tricky. i would say, if you have enough money saved, can afford risk, and enjoy this kind of gambling, go for it. if not, go for the cash.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED going to the drive-in! You're right, there's a lot to think about: potential customers in your area, start up costs, operational costs, etc. I wonder if you could look up a few operators who are located far enough away that they wouldn't be considered competitors if you opened shop. They may be able to give you some tips on the ups and downs of the biz.
ReplyDeleteUp until some 10-15 years ago, we had a 2-screen drive-in theatre literally just down the street (or was it 4-screen??). We didn't go often, but always enjoyed going when we did. Now we have Wal-Mart in it's place... Nearest drive-in is, I think, about 60 miles away. IF "our" HiWay39 were to magically re-open, I'd see more movies - I "hate" movie theatres.
ReplyDeleteOn the business side: since all the sound effects are such a vital part of most modern movies and they would "suffer" in the drive-in environment, maybe going truly retro might be an idea? Even to the classics. My son's (27yo) & GF favorite movie is Casablanca, so the younger generation does have interest in that "genre". Concessions - how about a very basic on-site one, then invite/schedule food trucks to come in, maybe with a theme in conjunction with the movie being shown. Sort of event-style... Then for the name (you say fill-in-the-blank on BC) - how about "Reels on Wheels"?