The Capri Drive-In in Coldwater has been around since 1964, with its 60th anniversary coming up in June.
Co-owner Susan Magocs has been with the Capri for over 40 years, experiencing many of its ups and downs.
In the 1990s, the Capri was almost sold off after losing film contracts to a local indoor theater. But, after scraping together enough cash, it was finally able to win a contract.
“We just hoped and prayed this movie would make it. Well, the movie now, you know, was a huge success. It was Jurassic Park.”
That’s right, Jurassic Park saved the Capri. But that wouldn't be the only hurdle for the theater.
Every decade would bring a new trend that threatened to kill off Drive-ins and each time, Susan heard the same thing.
“No one's gonna go to the movies anymore. The movies are done. The drive-ins are done.”
They persevered, but many others did not. This month, the Sunset in Hartford and Five-Mile drive-in in Dowagiac said they were closing.
Now the Capri is alone in Southwest Michigan, and being the last means they’ve witnessed the death of many other theaters.
“It's a bitter feeling, you know, you feel sorrow for the Five Mile and everything that they had to go through.”
That’s Susan Magocs’ son Michael. He’s the manager of the Capri. He’s worked at the theater for most of his life.
“I don't even consider it a business. Like, I don't look at this as a business. It's my home.”
And that pushed the family to innovate, expanding beyond just showing movies at the drive-in. They’ve held events like trunk-or-treats and video game tournaments.
In Jurassic Park, "life finds a way." The Magocses hope the Capri can too.
Michael Symonds reports for WMUK through the Report for America national service program.
