10/25/2025
As much as I knew it was a reality, it has finally hit me. I've turned in the keys and left the property for the last time, while taking a picture of another beautiful sunset behind the screen where so many movies were played over the decades and people, laughter and awesome nights were all part of it - it has been a privilege and a pleasure to be part of the history of the Auto Vue Drive In.
This will be a lengthy post, but there is a lot to be thankful for:
- To my dad, who purchased the property back in 1986 for the land, which later, over the years and endless nights of watching families bond, kids grow up, and precious memories being made, it truly became his "baby". When he was at Lane Park across the street, he would watch the cars come in when we opened. We would chat and he always knew how busy we were the night before because even though he could not be there, his heart was. The day he told me he never went to sleep until he saw the yard light be turned off at the end of the night, because then he knew we were safely on our way home, brought me to tears. He was still watching over us even from across the street. He wanted so bad to be there.
- To my mom, who after working long days at their News Stand, she would go to her second job, running the concession and greeting people with a smile. She enjoyed meeting all the people, some of them her "bookstore customers", and no matter how tired she was, she really did enjoy the drive in and running the concession. She always talked about one of her favorite jobs was being a waitress when she was younger, and this gave her the opportunity to bring a little of that back.
- To my kids - thanks for your patience and understanding over all these years of me working a second job and bringing you guys along with me. You all grew up at the drive in, and I hope you have a lifetime of precious memories with Grandpa and Grandma and all the fun and working at the drive in - these were times most people would never have and I am so thankful we got to have them together. It has been a very special part of all of our lives.
- To all of my staff members over the years, I could not have done this without all of you. You worked weekends so our customers could enjoy theirs, and I never took that for granted. That is something many people would not be willing to do. I hope it was a job you found enjoyment in and I hope you left with memories of your own.
- To EVERY person, big or little, who spent their evening with us - you gave us the opportunity to keep our doors open to do it again for another season. WE were the lucky ones to be given the opportunity to do what we loved to do and we hope you have made memories over the decades that will stay with you after the people are gone. That is what the Auto Vue was all about.
- To my family, who in 2015, gave me the opportunity to lease the property during the digital mandate by Hollywood so the Auto Vue did not go dark. We gave it 11 MORE YEARS than it would have had, and this is something we are very proud of!!
- A special thanks to my daughters, Melinda and Jaclyn. When I talked to you girls about having to do something to keep the Auto Vue open, you both had my back and said you were in it with me, and you were. The drive in is not about me - I am simply the vessel but I have been blessed with all of your support, help, great ideas, endless hours of fun, work, stress, UDITOA trips, late night brainstorming (which always were the best) and just EVERYTHING we have done together. There aren't too many drive ins being run by a female team, and WE DID IT!!!!! I could not be more happy and proud of us - THANK YOU more than you will ever know.
- To EVERYONE who let us into your lives as your Auto Vue family - I truly don't think there are many businesses that have the love, support and friendships that we have encountered over the years with so many of you. When I would say "Welcome to the Auto Vue family" - I truly meant it. The hugs, tears, laughter, smiles, memories - EVERYTHING - I hope you know what you have meant to us.
As I have said before, I truly believe being "the Drive In Lady" is what God put me here to do - to provide a space for people to be together and make precious memories - and I have been truly honored and humbled for all of these years, especially the last 11 when my girls and I did it our way.
I have 100% been "living my daydream" and to that I say THANK YOU!!! I had no idea 38 years ago when Dad bought the drive in that it would become my passion, and it 100% is. I remember being a young child and going to the drive in with my family so this has been part of my life for 60+ years. It is hard to believe it is now gone, but what a lifetime of memories I have been blessed with.
While I can't promise what the future holds, I can tell you that people this year have been put into my path for a reason, and I have the "dream" to continue the drive in. I am not ready to let it go. It is who I am, not what I do. While last night was the first Friday of not being at the drive in working to clear things out after we closed, there is a feeling of almost being lost, not knowing what to do, where to be. But there is a lot to be done to get things closed up on this chapter, which I will get done.
At the same time, I am working on the "dream". I am stubborn, but also passionate and I can see the "dream" - so please be patient - this is a huge undertaking but I am talking with people who have the knowledge and experience to move forward. That is a HUGE part of the puzzle, but there is much more beyond that. And I have no plans to give up.
WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN THE IMPOSSIBLE, THE INCREDIBLE CAN COME TRUE.
Thanks for the memories and I'll stay in touch.
Teresa
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