NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — In a world saturated with streaming services and rising prices, a local drive-in theater is persevering — and thriving.
This week on radio station WLVR 91.3 's "Morning Edition," host Brad Klein interviews Lauren McChesney, co-owner of Shankweiler's Drive-In Movie Theatre in Orefield.
McChesney, along with partner Matt McClanahan, bought the property in 2022.
"After I met [Matt], we started traveling around and looking at other drive-in theaters. It just kinda snowballed."Lauren McChesney, co-owner of Shankweiler's Drive-In Movie Theatre in Orefield
"After I met [Matt], we started traveling around and looking at other drive-in theaters," McChesney said. "It just kinda snowballed.
"We started imagining what it would be like if we had our own drive-in theatre."
Following some long days and tender loving care, the curtain rose on the new-and-improved Shankweiler's Drive-In, complete with a 66-foot movie screen, state-of-the-art projector and an FM transmitter.
'More personalized'
When discussing the differences between drive-ins and traditional theaters, McChesney said, "It's something special to be able to sit outside with the stars or around people. It makes the movie experience more personalized."
McChesney and McClanahan said they meet all kinds of people who pass through the theater's neon "Welcome" sign — couples on first dates, families with little kids, or typical movie buffs looking to watch a new film.
"Those are people whose parents knew drive-ins better than they did."WLVR 91.3's "Morning Edition" host Brad Klein
However, the one age group that shows up most of all, McChesney said, is 18-34-year-olds. Their attendance has nearly doubled in the past year, she said.
"Those are people whose parents knew drive-ins better than they did," Klein said.
"Correct. We rely very heavily on social media, for better or for worse," McChesney replied.
The drive-in currently boasts more than 30,000 followers on TikTok, 24,500 followers on Instagram and more than 45,000 on Facebook.
Listen to the full interview at the top of this article by clicking on the black "LISTEN" button.
