I-290 Drive-In
800 Young Street,
Tonawanda,
NY
14150
800 Young Street,
Tonawanda,
NY
14150
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: General Cinema Corp.
Architects: Jack K. Vogel
Previous Names: Young Street Drive-In
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The Young Street Drive-In was opened on September 15, 1965 with Patty Duke in “Billie” & Frank Sinatra in “Sergeants 3”. It had two indoor viewing areas. On June 22, 1965 it was renamed I-290 Drive-In. It was closed in 1984.
It was located next to Twin Fair (later Two Guys) department store, the I-290 batting cages and driving range, and the Blue Whale car wash.
Contributed by
J W
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Under the heading “Indoor-Outdoor Theatre in Buffalo Area,” the October 4, 1965, issue of Boxoffice Magazine published a rendering of the new Young Street Drive-In. The caption said that it was designed by Jack K. Vogel, had a capacity of 1000 cars, and featured two all-weather auditoriums.
More information here
Opened as Young Street Drive-in on 15/9/1965 with “Billie” and “Sergeants 3”. Reopened as I-290 Drive-in with “The Great Race” and “The Money trap”. Closed in 1984. Demolished(date unknown?). The site is BJ’s Wholesale club. The entrance road is still there.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, June 1, 1966: “BOSTON—Richard A. Smith, president. General Cinema Corp., announced acquisition of two drive-ins by the Boston-based chain. The theatres are the Admiral Twin, Tulsa, Okla., and the Young Street, Buffalo, N. Y. Announcements of the acquisition of the drive-ins were made in joint statements by Smith and H. B. Robb and Alex Blue, operators of the Admiral Twin; and Nate Dickman and Harry Berkson, operators of the Young Street. The linking of the two drive-in theatres to the chain brings the number of units in the circuit to 106.”
This reopened on June 22nd, 1965, as the I-290 Drive-In by General Cinema. Grand opening ad posted.