RUSKIN, Fla. — Ted Freiwald helped build the Ruskin Family Drive-In in 1952.
He pretty much never left.
Freiwald grew up at the drive-in. He fell in love at the concession stand. Now the 86-year-old theater owner and his 62-year-old wife, Karen, keep this historic place open seven days a week.
But it’s getting tougher.
“Generations are growing up that don’t go to drive-ins and they don’t know that much about drive-ins,” says Ted. “We have people that come in here and say, ‘What do we do?’”
There used to be hundreds of drive-in theaters in Florida. There are now fewer than ten.
Multiplexes, Netflix, technology and time helped all helped thin crowds and profits at drive-ins.
There is no Bluetooth or fancy surround sound at the Ruskin outdoor theater. There are only those clunky vintage speakers that hang in your car and broadcast an FM signal.
A few years ago the Freiwalds spent $150,000 on a digital film projector so they could show the newest family-friendly movies.
That hurt. But when Ted sees families still having fun and being together at his movies, he knows he’s doing the right thing keeping the drive-in open.
“You can come in here and you can back up your SUV to the posts, and put chairs out,” says Ted. “Kids are playing. It’s nice to see.”
The drive-in is also a great bargain for familes. Tickets are is just $6 for adults and $1 for kids ages 5-8. A small popcorn costs only $2.50. The multiplexes cannot meet those prices.
For a list of movies playing at the Ruskin Family Drive-In, visit ruskinfamilydrivein.com.
