US EditionHow Romance and a Road Trip Led to the Purchase of the World’s Oldest Drive-in Theater
Lauren McChesney and Matt McClanahan secured a $1 million loan to buy and preserve Shankweiler's, the nation's second-oldest drive-in theater, attracting steady summer attendance.
- In 2022, Matt McClanahan and Lauren McChesney purchased Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre, the world's oldest operating drive-in, located in Pennsylvania.
- Their decision followed a cross-country road trip visiting operational and abandoned drive-ins after learning Shankweiler's might be sold to developers.
- They secured a $1 million loan and pooled savings to buy the drive-in, becoming its fourth owners and building a successful business with strong summer attendance and special events.
- By 2024, only 283 drive-ins remained in the U.S., down from over 4,000 at the industry's late 1950s peak, due to rising land values and increased entertainment options.
- The couple's ownership preserves a historic venue while suggesting that dedicated management may help sustain a dwindling drive-in market.
59 Articles
59 Articles
Meet the millennial couple who risked their savings and got a $1 million loan to buy the world's oldest operating drive-in theater
In a romance and adventure worthy of the big screen, a Pennsylvania couple is preserving the past and forging a future as the owners of the world’s oldest operating drive-in movie theater. Lauren McChesney got more than admission to a double feature when she handed her ticket to Matt McClanahan at a different drive-in he managed in 2018. They started dating a year later, and, in August, got engaged. In between, they purchased Shankweiler’s Drive…
Associated Press News
How romance and a road trip led to the purchase of the world's oldest drive-in theater
In a romance and adventure worthy of the big screen, a Pennsylvania couple is preserving the past and forging a future as the owners of the world’s oldest drive-in movie theater.
World’s oldest operating drive-in theater revived
At a glance: Pennsylvania couple buys Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre The theater first opened in 1934 as America’s second drive-in Owners used savings and a $1M loan to preserve the landmark Drive-in’s owners are now engaged to be married OREFIELD, Pa. — In a romance and adventure worthy of the big screen, a Pennsylvania couple is preserving the past and forging a future as the owners of the world’s oldest operating drive-in movie theater.…
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