MONROE, MI - A Michigan token harkening back to the days before internet and streaming services will soon be relegated to memory lane.
Memory Lane Drive-In Theater, in Monroe, announced Friday it is permanently closing.
Poor attendance, the availability of streaming services and lack of concessions support were cited as the primary reasons for closing, business leaders wrote in a Facebook post.
“Memory Lane has suffered the same fate” as many drive-ins across the country, the post stated. “We greatly appreciate you supporting what we fought so hard to bring to the area.”
The drive-in opened in 2021, according to The Monroe News, on the site of the former Denniston Drive-In.
The Denniston was built in 1956 and demolished in 1985, WKFR reported when Memory Lane first opened.
The post stated leadership will continue to operate their other location, the Sundance Drive-In, located in Oregon, Ohio.
Leaders hope “that it can survive given its 76-year history and proximity to a larger population.”
Renovations to the Ohio drive-in have been started with a newly remodeled concessions stand.
“If you love going to a drive-in, please visit us and help keep this part of American history alive,” the post stated.
Memory Lane was one of nine remaining drive-in theaters across Michigan.
Now there are eight:
- Capri Drive-In, Coldwater
- Cherry Bowl Drive-In, Honor
- Ford Wyoming Drive-In, Dearborn
- Getty Drive-In, Muskegon
- Highway 2 Community Drive-In, Manistique
- Summer Drive-In at USA Hockey Arena, Plymouth
- US-23 Digital Drive-In Theater, Flint
- Hi-Way Drive-In, Carsonville
