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"An 80-year-old, historically significant cinema in Poncey-Highland that is Atlanta’s oldest operating movie theater; it closed March 20 due to COVID-19 but reopened temporarily as a drive-in under owner Christopher Escobar (who purchased the building in 2017 and also leads the Atlanta Film Society). To operate safely the venue implemented advanced online ticketing, reserved parking spaces for each car, contact-free concessions delivered to car hoods (with QR-code ordering through participating neighborhood restaurants), and a 24-foot inflatable screen that accommodates about 40 cars. The pivot—supported by online screenings, a GoFundMe, vouchers, to-go concessions and merchandise—helped raise emergency funds after steep revenue losses (the theater typically needs roughly $80,000/month to run). The drive-in has hosted sold-out weekends of throwback films and sells tickets online ($15–$50 per car), with proceeds helping sustain the theater and support nearby restaurants." - Beth McKibben
Vintage cinema: cult revivals, indie films, and midnight mayhem
1049 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 Get directions