Midway Drive-In In Sterling Illinois Is For Sale

For decades, the Midway Drive-In in Sterling, Illinois, has been giving moviegoers a chance to enjoy a little Hollywood magic under the stars, and now it is for sale. Is this bad news for future summer movie nights?

Drive-in movie screen and empty parking lot at sunset — Photo by Ruth Bourke on Unsplash

Rockford Summer Traditions

If you've lived in the Rockford area for as long as I have, you've probably heard of the Midway Drive-In in Sterling, Illinois. Maybe you've been there dozens of times. Maybe it's somewhere your family goes at least once every summer.

Somehow, after all these years, I've never actually gone to watch a movie at the Midway Drive-In, and I'm really hoping now that I'm not too late.

Midway Drive-In Is For Sale

The Midway Drive-In has been entertaining moviegoers since 1950, and all these decades later, it has stayed true to those roots.

The drive-in features the oldest standing drive-in movie screen in Illinois, a retro "spaceship" ticket booth, a 1950s-style concession stand and diner, and the kind of movie experience that brings families back year after year.

And now the historic Midway Drive-In is for sale.

Why Is the Midway Drive-In For Sale?

This is probably the first question longtime Midway Drive-In fans are asking.

Is the Drive-In struggling? Are the owners having health issues? These are the unfortunate scenarios my brain automatically goes to, but thankfully, that's not the case for the Midway Drive-In.

On Facebook, owners Mia and Mike Kerz said:

We spent 19 years restoring and renovating the Midway Drive-In. Almost all the equipment in the Midway has been updated, and we have made countless upgrades to all of the utilities - including the upgrade to digital projection.

We have accomplished what we set out to do. The Midway is in great shape and is attended by large and enthusiastic audiences. It is now time to hand the keys of the Midway Drive-In over to new owners who will care for the Midway as much as we do.

Are They In a Hurry To Sell?

Here's some reassuring news for anyone fearing that the Midway Drive-In will disappear: the current owners don't appear to be in a hurry to sell. Hopefully this means the property will remain on the market until they find the perfect buyers.

The property is listed for $750,000 and includes approximately 15.5 acres, the drive-in business, equipment and other assets.

That's a pretty big price tag, but when you consider you are buying a piece of Illinois history that has been lovingly maintained, it doesn't seem so bad.

See the full listing and pictures here.

20 of the Best Day Trips to Take From Illinois

20 Illinois Cities That Locals Call the Snobbiest

These 20 Illinois cities are known for wealth, style, and a little bit of attitude. From the North Shore to the suburbs, each place has its own way of showing off, and locals know exactly why their town belongs on this list.

Gallery Credit: Sweet Lenny