At that time the place was really hopping, it got so bad dad had to hire help. So my mother started working the concession stands… And then her brother was hired to help cook. And then another of her brothers and her mother! Grandpa complained about sitting home at night while grandma worked the drive-in. So dad “created” a position for him, “Patrolman”. He gave him a flashlight and told him to walk the lot during the movie and keep an eye out for trouble. hahaha… At this time period crime in Ft. Wright was about as scarce as hen’s teeth. But it put a little money in his pocket and gave him something to do. Mom has a pic of dad working the grill somewhere. If I can get her to find it, I’ll post it here.
Although I don’t remember much of it as a young child, my father used to manage Dixie Gardens Drive-In in the late 60’s/early 70’s. He was a working manager though not like today when they all hide in the back office. He was busy every night slingin' those burgers and fries and of course the popcorn!
As an aside to the photograph Bill shows, if you look to the right of the theater you’ll see a Kroger store. This is the very first Kroger store that Barney Kroger opened. At the time, he lived on Monroe St. between 6th & 7th.
At that time the place was really hopping, it got so bad dad had to hire help. So my mother started working the concession stands… And then her brother was hired to help cook. And then another of her brothers and her mother! Grandpa complained about sitting home at night while grandma worked the drive-in. So dad “created” a position for him, “Patrolman”. He gave him a flashlight and told him to walk the lot during the movie and keep an eye out for trouble. hahaha… At this time period crime in Ft. Wright was about as scarce as hen’s teeth. But it put a little money in his pocket and gave him something to do. Mom has a pic of dad working the grill somewhere. If I can get her to find it, I’ll post it here.
Although I don’t remember much of it as a young child, my father used to manage Dixie Gardens Drive-In in the late 60’s/early 70’s. He was a working manager though not like today when they all hide in the back office. He was busy every night slingin' those burgers and fries and of course the popcorn!
As an aside to the photograph Bill shows, if you look to the right of the theater you’ll see a Kroger store. This is the very first Kroger store that Barney Kroger opened. At the time, he lived on Monroe St. between 6th & 7th.
The foundation of this theater is concealed by what is now the South Side Baptist Church located on the west side of Holman Avenue at 15th Street.