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Airport Drive-in (Johnson City)
Status: Demolished
Location: 2260 Airport Rd., Rte 69, Johnson City, NY 13790
Screens: 1
Capacity: 1,200 cars
Original owner: Built by Samuel C. Sunness; operated in 1990s by Loew's Theatres.
Opening date: September 3, 1961
Final season: 1993
What's there now: Drainage retention area.

This page was last updated on January 13, 2010.

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Topo Map from 1976, courtesy of TerraServer USA. Aerial image from 1965, courtesy of the Broome County Soil and Water Conservation District. Aerial image from 2006, courtesy of Google Earth. Aerial close-up image from 2006, courtesy of Google Earth.
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Opening soon ad from the Binghampton Press on August 27, 1961. Grand opening ad from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961. Grand opening article from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961. Grand opening article from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961.
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Grand opening article from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961. Grand opening picture from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961. Grand opening picture from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961. Grand opening picture from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961.
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Grand opening picture from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961. Grand opening picture from the Binghampton Press on September 5, 1961. Airport Drive-in entrance, image from 2008, courtesy of Rick Cohen. Drainage retention area, former location of Airport Drive-in parking area and concession stand, image from 2008, courtesy of Rick Cohen.
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Airport Drive-in speaker pole, image from 2008, courtesy of Rick Cohen. Airport Drive-in exit sign, image from 2008, courtesy of Rick Cohen.    

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I ran this one for Loews Theatres from 1990-1993. It closed because the landlord would not renew the lease for this property, when Loews closed two other indoor theatres owned by the same man. The theater sat perfectly winterized, ready to go, for a few years before meeting its fate with the wrecking ball. I understand it was bulldozed with all equipment still intact. I did so much work on this place to fix it up back then.
#1 - Joe Masher - 09/12/2008 - 13:39
When it sat closed for several years, we picked up a box full of the old letters and numbers for the sign. I still have them in my basement.
#2 - Bill Bruce - 05/27/2009 - 09:35
I am looking into getting another drive in here in Broome County. I used to live just down the road from this one and I've always been curious as to why it closed down. I'm wondering if you'd care to share. What was the reasoning behind the landlord not renewing the lease? And why would they demolish a functional theatre?
#3 - Katie - 06/09/2010 - 05:49
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