 "Photo: File photo")
Looks like it's not "Mission Impossible" for the Santikos Mission Four Drive-In.
After closing its doors because of vandalism in January, the drive-in, located at 3100 Roosevelt Ave., temporarily reopened to a packed house in August.
An estimated 600 cars packed two of the four movie lots, as the South Side landmark opened for the first time this season.
The $5-a-carload show drew a wide variety of patrons who showed up with lawn chairs, blankets and coolers to support the drive-in.
Two double features of "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" and "Shrek the Third" or "1408" and "Transformers" lit up the night as children played on tricycles and families watched from mattresses in the back of pickups or sprawled on the roofs of cars.
Some brought picnic tables for extra comfort.
"The folks at Santikos were very pleased with the outpouring of support from the community," Michelle Krier, public relations spokesperson, said.
The drive-in opened temporarily for the summer season to gauge a response from the community.
Although the opening weekend for the drive-In was a tremendous success, fewer cars showed up as the month went on, Krier said, so Santikos decided to end its summer season early.
Santikos was operating two of the four outdoor screens on Fridays and Saturdays, but they want to finish making repairs to the drive-in before opening again next year.
On Jan. 23, more than $500,000 in damages occurred to the projection booths, concession stands, movie screens and buildings when vandals desecrated the last operating drive-in in San Antonio.
Despite the damages that occurred, Santikos plans to repair the drive-in to its full operating potential.
The future of the drive-in seemed dismal, but the community banded together to show support for a nostalgic tradition they've enjoyed since the drive-in first opened on March 27, 1948.
"This is such a wonderful family tradition," Krier said. "Several generations have enjoyed going to the drive-in, and we've had such a tremendous response."
The drive-in will reopen for a short time during spring break and for the summer season from May to September.
"We are anticipating a successful future and looking forward to another exciting season," Krier said.
For more information on the Mission Four Drive-In, call 496-1300, or log on to www.santikos.com. Although the drive-in is closed for the remainder of this season, students, faculty and staff can still enjoy the "Drive-In" movie series on campus sponsored by student life.
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