STEPHENS CITY — With the future of the Family Drive-In Theatre uncertain, local residents are looking for ways to save the beloved movie-going institution.

In June, the 10.16-acre property on Valley Pike (U.S. 11) near Stephens City was listed for sale for $1.5 million by Woodstock-based Dalke’s Theatres Inc. The site is currently being leased to Texas-based Moonstruck East River LLC, which operates multiple drive-ins. The lease expires Dec. 31.

As Moonstruck East River assesses its options to keep the drive-in open, community members are exploring their own ideas to save it.

Moonstruck’s Andrew Thomas bought the business side of the Family Drive-In Theatre in 2021 from the family of previous operator Jim Kopp following his death and has been operating it with many of Kopp’s employees.

See Full Page