Drive-ins in jeopardy of closure, ‘surrender and failure is not an option,’ owner says

Like indoor theaters, drive-ins are being forced to convert from film to digital projection by the movie industry.

The deadline to switch is fast approaching.

Ryan Levin, vice president and owner of Dayton-based Levin Services — Dixie Twin’s parent company — said the drive-in his family opened in 1957 is a Dayton institution worthy of preserving for future generations.

“It’s been consistently providing a great value for family and those on a budget,” Levin said, noting that several Dayton treasures vanished in recent years. “You start to see the Norman Rockwell fixtures of your lifetime evaporating.”

Five of Ohio's 28 remaining drive-in theaters are participating in the contest.

Click here to vote for your favorite drive-in and learn more about Honda's campaign to save what many people consider an important part of Americana.

“We need Dayton’s support. Not only to vote for us in the Honda contest, but to patronize us,” he said. “I think we have a good product and a good story. I think we are contenders.”

Each person can vote up to twice per day until Sept. 9. Donations are also being accepted to help theaters struggling to finance the high cost of the digital conversion. About $12,500 was collected by Wednesday.

The Levin family, owners of Treasure Aisle Market and Caesar Creek Market in Mason, once had 17 movie theaters and drive-ins. They included the Kon-Tiki, Salem and Captain Kidd.

With their brother Sam, twins Al and Lou Levin became drive-in pioneers when they opened their first theater, the Sherwood Drive-In, in 1946.

The two screen Twin Dixie is the only one that remains.

Levin said it will cost about $170,000 - roughly $85,000 each - to upgrade Twin Dixie’s theater’s projection systems. The Twin Dixie attracts tens of thousands each summer season and makes a modest amount that mostly covers expenses, he said.

He said the theater survived when so many drive-ins failed to economic change and cultural switches because his family remained committed to showing movies and providing a service to the community.

It will remain committed to the goal even if it does not win one of the projections from Honda, Levin said, noting that other avenues will be explored to find funding for both projectors if necessary.

“There is not a plan ‘B.’ We need to continue as a drive-in theater,” he said. “Surrender and failure is not an option.”