New Visions for the Moonlite Drive-In Theatre with New Management
ABINGDON, Va – The iconic Moonlite Drive-In Theatre, last operational in 2021, is under new ownership and is set to undergo significant renovation. The new management has big dreams outlined for this historic landmark that involves much more than merely screening movies.
A Vision Beyond Movies
Renee Blevins and her daughter Rebecca Blevins Crusenberry, the new owners of Moonlite, have envisioned the theatre’s potential as more than just a movie theatre. “We want to make it different than just going to the movies. We’d like to open hours earlier and have live music from local bands,” Blevins said. The family aims to create a versatile, entertainment complex to draw in the crowds.
A Tradition Revived
In operation since 1949, this drive-in theatre at 17555 Lee Hwy near Abingdon was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Closed back in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now set to undergo a series of renovations under the guidance of its fresh management.
Blevins, as a part of the local community, is no stranger to the Moonlite Drive-In. As her family had already made an attempt back in 2016 to keep it operational, Blevins cherishes fond memories of the theatre. “I lived, I think, maybe four miles from the Moonlite,” Blevins said. “I remember going to watch ‘The Way We Were.’ I don’t know why that movie sticks out in my mind. I guess it’s because I was probably too young to really be watching it.”
Renovation and Resurrection
The Moonlite Drive-In will be significantly revamped before reopening. Carding crucial improvements requiring time, the owners are yet to announce the re-opening date. “It’s going to take a long time. We’re hoping that by the end of the summer, maybe this fall, we will able to do a grand opening,” Blevins said. However, if the renovations are not completed by fall, the opening may have to be deferred to April next year.
Every aspect of the theatre, right from the offices to the screen, necessitates repair or replacement due to the lack of maintenance. Blevins reveals, “The office area under the screen has got to be completely done, and the screen itself has to be scraped, repaired, and repainted. The snack bar has to be completely redone, and we would like to decorate it like a retro 50s diner”.
The Road Ahead
With a bright new vision for the Moonlite Drive-In, the Blevins family is all set to bring back a cherished remnant of history to life. By incorporating modern entertainment necessities alongside the retro charm of the place, the Moonlite Drive-In Theatre is bound to usher in a new age of outdoor cinema and live entertainment.
