A popular destination for families, movie lovers and car fanatics has closed for good after more than a decade of entertaining Texans. Fans are now mourning the loss of the beloved cinema after its curtain call earlier this week.
The Coyote Drive-In theater in Fort Worth has closed for good, shutting down business after 14 years following its showing of Spider-Man: Brand New Day on Monday, September 7. The closure was first announced on August 24, and fans sold out the outdoor movie house to give it a proper farewell on Monday night.
"For 14 amazing years, you have made Coyote Drive-In more than just a place to watch a movie-you have made it a place where memories were created," General Manager Chris Fortune wrote in a Facebook post. "Coyote Drive-In has been fortunate to be part of so many of your lives, and we hope that when you look back, you remember the cool Texas nights, the big screen under the stars, the music, the food, the laughter, the lights of the Fort Worth skyline - and most of all, the people you shared it with. Thank you for 14 incredible years of memories."
Coyote Drive-In is closing as the City of Fort Worth moves forward with its Panther Island Project, according to Spectrum News. The Panther Island Project aims to create a new destination similar to the San Antonio River Walk. Regardless, the drive-in's forced closing has drawn multiple negative reactions from residents.
"You brought back the nostalgia of a drive-in with the added bonus of a beautiful, major city as a backdrop," Kristy McCoy writes on Facebook. "I wish there was a way to save it and make it a part of the expansion….even if it meant taking it down to 2 screens. Sure, once the project is complete, it may be pretty but I can't imagine it even coming close to holding the uniqueness of a drive-in that sits beside a river with a beautiful city lit up behind it."
"My favorite way to watch a movie, in the bed of a truck with my family under the night sky," Steven Whittington wrote on Facebook. "It's disgraceful that the city of Fort Worth doesn't see the value in having the drive in in our city. Ft worth is slowly and steadily becoming the parts of Dallas we all hate."
On Reddit, Federal_Edge5060 wrote, "So stupid that they took our pretty little drive in away. All for what? More apartments that are over priced? Everything good dies in Texas."
"The most respectable, calm, friendliest, clean, and fun drive-in theatre. I hope and pray yall relocate," Victoria Bonsall-Marples wrote on Facebook. "Fort Worth, (Tarrant County that is: city officials) should be ashamed. Just made Funky Town, a lot less funky. Much love to you all at Coyote. West Fort Worth has lots of open land between Aledo and Weatherford."
MySA has reached out to Coyote Drive-In for comment on the closure.
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This article originally published at Locals shame city after beloved Texas drive in closes after 14 years.