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Fort Collins Drive-In not going anywhere - Drive-Ins |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 28 June 2007 |
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Page 1 of 4 
I’m not very fancy, just plain and white. I’m a little worn and carry a bit of nostalgia with me, but I’m not outdated. Every night people drive to see me. There are rumors that I’m dying, but I’m not going anywhere any time soon.
Who am I? The Holiday Twin Drive-in in Fort Collins.
The Holiday Twin, 2206 S. Overland Trail, has entertained movie-goers since 1968. It has seen two other drive-ins in Fort Collins give way to commercial development. Still, the two screens stand strong.
Owner Wesley Webb purchased the theater in 1979 with the intent of keeping it forever.
“It’s my intention that the theater will never be sold,” Webb said.
When he purchased the theater, he used an airplane as a down payment. At one point, he owned seven drive-ins. The Holiday Twin is his last one. It’s not exactly the biggest money maker, but as long as it makes enough money to pay for expenses, Webb says he doesn’t mind.
“I know people enjoy it,” he said. “People line their cars clear down the street on the weekends.”
Over the years, Webb and the Holiday Twin have seen several changes. In 1979, there was no running water, so a truck with a 1,200-gallon tank hauled water to a cistern at the site. Along with better plumbing came improved restrooms. Equipment has been replaced and screens have been refinished. The snack bar has also been remodeled. Forget the ordinary large popcorn — though that’s still available — but there are also grilled hamburgers and french fries.
Mary Beard, 23, of Fort Collins goes to the drive-in almost once a week throughout the summer. She lives in the same area, so it’s a convenient family activity. While standing in the concessions line she said she just can’t beat the price of $5 per person for two movies.
“You can be comfortable in your own vehicle,” she said. “It’s way better than the theater. You can bring what you want. It’s a lot better for kids.”
Her 6-year-old son can move around and walk outside. He can see the favorite green ogre “Shrek” with the starlit sky as a backdrop. Some people will bring a picnic, blankets or folding chairs and sit outside their cars. The sound is now broadcast through the radio, so it’s clear and crisp.
A couple of weeks ago Derrik Schoenherr, 34, of Milliken went to the driven-in for the first time since he was a kid. He grew up in Fort Collins and now has two boys, ages 6 and 9, of his own. A while back, he drove by the theater and couldn’t believe it was still there.
“They’ve been going nuts over this, asking if we could go,” he said during an intermission on a recent evening.
The family was in Fort Collins visiting other family members when they decided to go to the drive-in on the spur of the moment.
Webb said the drive-in is perfect for families because kids can fall asleep if they get too tired and dogs can also come along.
“Some nights, I swear we would make more money if we charged for dogs rather than people,” he joked.
Sure, there are a few drawbacks. Liability insurance is costly and the theater is only open three months out of the year. Regular theaters will show one movie about 4-10 times a day whereas the drive-in shows it once.
“I can’t compete with indoor houses,” Webb said.
Drive-ins are often at Mother Nature’s mercy. If it rains, there may be less of a crowd. It doesn’t get dark until late, so the movie gets out late.
For these and many other reasons, drive-ins across the nation have closed. In the late ’50s there were more than 4,000 drive-ins. Now, there are only about 400. So, are drive-ins at risk of extinction?
The manager of the Holiday Twin Drive-in said some of the concerns are founded, but some of it is hype.
“As long as the owner is dedicated to the drive-in, there’s a strong chance of survival,” said Chuck Bucinski, 25, of Fort Collins. Bucinski has managed the drive-in since 2005. He had prior experience at an indoor theater, but he enjoys the drive-ins much more.
“You don’t have sticky floors and aren’t nudging elbows with people next to you,” he said.
Bucinski has become quite the movie buff. He has about 500 DVDs and an impressive movie poster collection at home. As he talks about upcoming movies, a smile lights his face.
“The next month and a half is going to be killer for us,” he said. “There’s ‘Live Free Die Hard’, the new ‘Transformers’ movie, and of course, I’m excited for ‘The Simpsons’ movie.”
Bucinski said the drive-in tries to get the best movies it can and changes them almost every week.
“There’s always rumors that we are closing,” Bucinski said. “We are never going to close. We are here for the long haul.”
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| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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