The Paul family owned the Sky View Drive-In Theatre along Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, for the last 30 years. By early March, another family in Litchfield also will own the theater.
The Sky View is under contract to be bought by two husband-and-wife teams — Nick and Mindy Pastrovich, plus Mike and Debbie Pastrovich. Mike and Debbie own D & M Electric Heating in Litchfield. Nick works for D & M and owns Advanced Signage & Electrical in Litchfield. Mindy owns Minndora’s Specialty Photography and Minndora’s Salon in Litchfield.
The Pastroviches are scheduled to take possession March 1. They’re confident there won’t be any holdups; Mindy Pastrovich said contracts with the studios and other vendors are being transferred to them.
“We plan to run it as a drive-in indefinitely,” Mindy Pastrovich said.
Because the Sky View was well-maintained and underwent at $77,000 digital conversion a few years ago, Mindy said they don’t expect many big changes with its operation.
Carol Stuttle, the Sky View’s general manager for more than two decades, will stay at her post until she retires, Mindy said.
Mindy said the theater’s front gate will be moved back so tourists can more easily access a Route 66 monument out in front of the complex. Ticket prices will be raised from $3 to $5.
Mindy said the family also plans to add a few more family-friendly films, plus a special screening of the cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and perhaps “The Wizard of Oz.” The Sky View Drive-In also will be marking its 66th anniversary.
Mindy said her in-laws were motivated to buy the theater because they’re nearing retirement age, and they wanted to own something that would turn a profit.
The Pastroviches haven’t yet announced the 2016 opening weekend for the theater, but it likely will be in early April.
The Sky View opened in 1950 by Frisina Enterprises, but much of its history is owed to Norman and Del Paul, who owned it for more than 30 years. It is the last remaining original Route 66 drive-in in Illinois and was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame.
(Hat tip to Sarah Waggoner; image of the Sky View Drive-In by J Turner via Flickr)
Excellent news. I was a little worried about this one.
Kinda bummed about the 2 dollar increase, be more expensive for families to enjoy what used to be so reasonable evening.
So happy that the drive-in will continue on! Can’t wait to come back this summer!
A little bummed about the price hike, but will still likely drive over an hour for $5 and an evening out.
Pretty sure my son and his family from Arkansas will be happy to know it will remain a working drive-in. They frequent it every trip it is open when they visit. The $5 will stretch them a bit probably though as they are a visiting family of 7 all the time, and 9 sometimes when they visit.
Remember watching Grease at the Sky View back in the 70’s. It ran for several weeks… glad that there are those that want to keep this institution up and running!
Bummed about the price hike. Our family of 6 enjoyed driving up for less than $20 in entertainment. We don’t get to do much because everything is so expensive when it is x6.
Wonderful! We love the drive in. And the price increase is not a big deal, I mean where else can you watch 2 movies for 5 bucks a person? And I so love that you will bring some great classics back like Rocky Horror…such a great idea! See you soon!
There are not many Drive-In Theatre’s anymore. I used to go to the Sky View Drive-In years back.
It would be neat to run some 1950 movies during the anniversary celebration.
Great to have local Litchfield families own and also take part of running the Drive In who work and care about keeping our history going. Thanks for caring we couldn’t have a better family work to keep the Drive In open and know family values that will bring good movies that everyone will enjoy attending !
Glad to see it will remain open. I worked there many years ago I was the pizza girl. So many great memories of the drive-in.
This is sure some good news. Spent many an hour attending and/or working there back in the late 50’s and the 60’s.
with the price hike, I might as well just go to the theater in Hillsboro from now on.
Loved car load night when I was in high school. You could fit a lot of people into a 1979 Ford Ltd. Lol. Glad it’s going to remain.
Glad to hear it’s here to stay. Even better knowing it’s staying local. Price hike is a bit steep. But at the same time you can’t go anywhere else I know and see a double feature for $5 each.