Showboat Drive-In closing

[Aerovette]

I'm disappointed that I never went, just for the nostalgia.

https://abc13.com/post/showboat-drive-air-final-movie-close-sept14-after-19-years-business-owners-plan-reopen-2-locations/15280437/


HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A beloved Harris County drive-in is preparing to roll the credits.

Showboat Drive-in, northwest of Cypress, will air its final movie on Sept.14. Owner Andrew Thomas told ABC13 the drive-in is a casualty of COVID-19.

"Starting in 2020 when COVID hits you have a huge number of movies get delayed and a typical year there's about 100 to 150 major releases that come out and we only had 40 that year and the average over the last three years has been about 80 so we're still way behind where we need to be," Thomas explained.

Thomas told ABC13 the Hollywood writers' strike compounded the problem along with property taxes.

He said development in the area has caused light pollution, impacting the viewing experience.

For the above reasons, Thomas and his wife are closing the cash only drive-in which opened in 2005. They have plans to reopen in two new locations.

Thomas' twelve employees will be out of jobs. Among them is Kendall Carty. Carty told ABC13 that she got her first job at the theater a decade ago at the age of 16. She has since worked her way up to managing the facility and lives on-site. She is now looking for work and a new home.

"It is essentially my life," Carty said. "A huge part of who I am as a person."

[Frankie the Fink]

There is still a drive in on Rt 301 between Orlando and Tampa, and I assume its still open.

But, not much sympathy for a worker who ties their livelihood to an arcane piece of niche, nostalgic entertainment thinking it'll last forever...

My 53 year old ex son-in-law still works at the same St. Petersburg waterfront family-owned marina that he has been at for 22 years. Tough back-breaking, physical work.

The elderly owners just got an offer from a condo developer for the property equal to 10 years of the current revenue stream.

I told him he would show up one day and the building would be locked and he will have to go around with his hat in his hand competing with guys 1/2 his age that will work for 1/3 of his salary as a middle aged, worn out prospect.

All that "Mike Rowe" blue collar jobs BS sounds good until you're in your mid-50s and your body is giving out from years of hard work.
[/rant]

[AUTOHOLIC]

There is still a drive in on Rt 301 between Orlando and Tampa, and I assume its still open.

But, not much sympathy for a worker who ties their livelihood to an arcane piece of niche, nostalgic entertainment thinking it'll last forever...

My 53 year old ex son-in-law still works at the same St. Petersburg waterfront family-owned marina that he has been at for 22 years. Tough back-breaking, physical work.

The elderly owners just got an offer from a condo developer for the property equal to 10 years of the current revenue stream.

I told him he would show up one day and the building would be locked and he will have to go around with his hat in his hand competing with guys 1/2 his age that will work for 1/3 of his salary as a middle aged, worn out prospect.

All that "Mike Rowe" blue collar jobs are great BS sounds good until you're in your mid-50s and your body is giving out from years of hard work.
[/rant]

I always said that if you don’t work with your head you have to work with your hands and feet and the wear out long before your head. :seasix: