Cars fill in before Independence drivein permanently closes
Nov 17, 2024
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Over the weekend, cars packed the B&B Theatres Twin Drive-In parking lot for its final movie showings.
General manager Kandy Combs said they sold out Saturday night.
Some people started arriving hours before showtime on Sunday.
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“It’s very emotional. We're hearing a lot of memories that are coming through the lanes over here, and it's great. We're hoping to recreate and continue a memory for a lasting time,” Combs said.
Countless memories have been made at the Twin Drive-In since it opened in 1965.
“The memories… there are too many, actually. Every car has a memory,” Combs explained.
Families filled the lot Sunday, ready to experience one final movie showing before the historic drive-in permanently closed.
People had the option of two double features during the final movie showing, including The Goonies and Jurassic Park and Elf and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
“It's very emotional because I've been going here ever since I was little," said Mckenzy Walker. "They have great people that work here, amazing people. Our family has been coming here for the past three weeks ever since we got the news. It's just really heartbreaking that we have to say goodbye to everyone.”
Combs wanted to ensure that the Twin Drive-In’s final day open was a special one for customers.
“It's unfortunately, nostalgia that's going to be gone. I want them to take away smiles and laughter. The family togetherness, I think, is the biggest thing, is the togetherness,” Combs said.
Customers say they’ll hold on to the happy memories they’ve made at the Twin Drive-In long after it closes.
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“So it was my son's first ever movie and all of our kids, cause when they're newborns, you can't bring them to movie theaters. So this is a place that we would come as a family,” said Ashley Cunningham. “It's also kind of special to me because my mom used to come here all the time when she was a teenager. It's in the family, and it's fun to reminisce with the kiddos.”
Owners of the B&B Theatre’s Twin Drive-In announced the closure earlier this month.
Saying they were unable to reach an agreement with the property’s landlord and rent demands would have been too unsustainable.