Providing a safe spot for entertainment in a time of social distancing, Beaufort’s Highway 21 Drive-In has remained open during the national COVID-19 emergency providing a haven for everyone in the Beaufort area, since we’re cooped up in our homes. Now, the Highway 21 Drive In is changing the rules during the crisis.
Everyone knows there are two no-nos that will get you in trouble if you visit the drive in. One is to smuggle in your own food. The other is to put someone in the trunk, ducking the ticket price. But that’s changed.
Yep. You can now bring in your own food.
On Sunday evening, owners Joe and Bonnie Barth decided to change things up and are encouraging you to visit a local restaurant for some takeout and bring it to the drive-in with you.
“In supporting not just us, but other Beaufort businesses, you can decrease the negative impact it has on local businesses and their employees,” Joe said.
“We’re all in this together.”
With movie studios taking a very substantial percentage of the revenue from drive-in theaters, they rely very heavily on concession stand sales to make ends meet. The Highway 21 Drive In is asking patrons who bring their own food to make a $5 donation upon entry, the meager equivalent of a medium order of popcorn and a small soda, to help cover expenses.
“We normally do not allow customers to bring in outside food, but we now see that it could be beneficial to our community if we allow it during these tough times,” Barth added. “We’re concerned about our employees, our patrons, our business, our community’s businesses, and everybody’s health and well-being.”
According to Barth, the changes take effect immediately, and will end at whatever time that local kids are permitted to go back to school.
The drive-in will be closing down its concession stand in hopes you’ll patronize other businesses.
“We encourage you to enjoy takeout from one of our local restaurants while enjoying our movies, and of course your own snacks are welcome, too.”
That’s pretty awesome, and a selfless move on the part of the Barth family. (see their Facebook post below)
There’s not much to do in the new age of social distancing. With recommendations to avoid large crowds, stay at least 6 feet away from others or just stay at home, options aren’t abundant.
As movie theaters, theme parks and other entertainment options were forced to close because of governmental advisories designed to increase social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak, drive-in theaters are one of the few options we have left.
The drive-in is safer since folks are confined to their own cars, and the chance for interaction with others is very minimal, and can be 100% avoided.
According to reports, drive-in theaters across the country are experiencing a surge in interest. Once numbering around 4,000, it’s just too bad that there are only 305 of them left because a lot more people would be able to get out and take a little break from being cooped up in their homes.
It remains an open question if those still operating across the country during the pandemic will be able to keep doing so in the days ahead. That’s due in large part of the rapidly changing nature of the nationwide response to the outbreak, and its spread.
We’re certainly grateful that ours is. We’re happy that the Highway 21 Drive-In is here, and still open.
Just please, keep little Billy out of the trunk.
