INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Driving into Tibbs Drive-In Theatre, you can’t help but feel a bit nostalgic.
The four-screen drive-in movie theater elicits memories of old movies and the childhood stories of baby boomers.
“It’s kinda blending nostalgia with modern technology, because we broadcast the sound into your car with an FM signal so you can adjust the volume,” said Jon Parkin, co-owner of Tibbs Drive-In Theatre.
Parkin said some moviegoers bring their pick-up trucks and put a mattress on the back and just lounge. Also, the theater is pet friendly.
“It’s a different way to see a movie, but every bit as fulfilling,” Parkin said.
Even though the drive-in is outdoors, they still have to follow public health guidelines like every other business.
“We are limiting our capacity per the state guidelines to 50%,” said Parkin. “Masking and gloving all of our employees. We’ve closed the concession stand except for the use of bathrooms, which we are severely limiting as well."
He said they’ll limit how many people can be in the restroom at a time.
“We’ll be social distancing the way that people park,” Parkin said.
Both he and co-owner Marcella Snyder said the experience is now going completely touchless.
“We’ve moved our ticket sales to online, people can order concessions from their car,” Parkin said.
“The app sends a push notification that your food is ready and we’ll put it on the table and you just pick it up and leave,” Snyder said.
Snyder said the new system is similar to the way many restaurants are now doing carry-out pickup. And it’s a way for the drive-in theater to protect both employees and patrons.
“Usually, we show new releases,” Snyder said. “But since there aren’t any new releases, we’ll be rotating films."
Tibbs Drive-In can show a wide array of films, but said they don’t have access to Disney movies.
With over 20 acres, there are many possible uses for the drive-in's space, especially during a pandemic.
“We’ve been inundated with requests. We are currently working with a church who does services on Sundays. We actually have two school graduations coming this month, it’s kinda like a drive-in graduation,” Snyder said.
Snyder said they’ve heard from comedians, festivals, concerts and even people or businesses wanting to host corporate or private events.
Snyder and Parkin said they’re willing to work with others on pricing, and say their priority is following public health guidelines and state orders “by the book.”
Tickets are usually $11 per adult, but Tibbs Drive-In is currently running an online special where adult tickets are only $9 and kids ages 4-12 can get in for $4.50. Toddlers can get in free. They say their concession prices are lower than what a moviegoer would pay in a cinema and hot dogs are only about $2.
For a list of movies and times, visit the theater's website.