While spending these longer evenings on the front porch, my wife and I routinely bounce business or invention ideas back and forth off of each other, trying to come up with that “million dollar” business idea.  Sometimes we’re serious, sometimes it’s all in good fun (one of her great ideas was a cat food that was just canned broth, named “Auntie Leigh’s Happy Lappin’ Cat Gravy” – just the name alone was worth seeking a copyright, in my opinion).

I know I’ve also spoken about this subject before, but when the weather turns nice for the spring and summer months, I always come back to an idea that I really feel could see a resurgence, like the phoenix reborn from the ashes.

The drive-in movie.

These days, drive-ins are few and far between.  In my informal polling of friends and family, this idea always brings head nods, smiles, and enthusiastic responses, especially from folks of my generation (or older).  The drive-in brings back just the right amount of nostalgia for those of us of us who remember them, and while the younger generation won’t know what we’re necessarily talking about, they’ve been to outdoor movies in a friend’s back yard (or by the pool), so in a sense, they understand the experience, but just on a smaller scale.

I honestly think that a local drive-in could probably make it, even in this day and age.  The hardest thing to find would be a piece of land big enough to handle around a hundred cars, a big screen, and the quintessential snack stand/bathroom combo.  With today’s technology, digital projectors could be easily bought on the open market, and the sound system can be relayed via the car or truck’s radio, so no more hanging boxes in the driver or passenger side window.

While it does cost a bit to get “first-run” movies, would it even matter at the drive-in?  Seriously, I’d rather watch old classics, cartoon shorts, or old monster movies at the drive-in.  Just imagine it.  You pile the kids in the car and head for the drive-in, where after paying $25 to get in (for the whole gang), you load up on popcorn, hot dogs, candy, and sodas at the concession stand.  The kids are playing on the swing set down near the big screen while the sun sets and the nostalgic pre-show begins running on the screen (“10 minutes to go!”)  You tune the radio to the right station and settle in for a Looney Tunes cartoon, followed by a double feature of “Jaws” and “Halloween”, or maybe its classics like “Casablanca” or “Lawrence of Arabia”, all projected on the big screen.  “Back to the Future”, followed by “Ghostbusters”?  Yes, please.  Everyone is nestled into the truck bed or sitting out in front of the car on pillows and blankets, munching on snacks and taking in a flick (or two) under the stars.

Simple.

Classic.

Sounds like a great family night to me, or even a pretty good date night.

Now, I’m not implying that an owner is gonna make a ton of money at this venture (especially with the seasonal aspect of the business), but like a snow-cone stand or farmer’s market, it’s a small-town idea that seems to be ripe for a comeback.  Just saying.

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day.  See you at the drive-in next week?