I’m glad you guys are talking about this. My Grandfather owned the land at present day Garden State Plaza where the former Paramus Drive-In Movie sits. One day back in the 30’s my grandfather was sitting on this land wondering what to do with it. Family legend has it that he struck on the idea of an outdoor movie theater there not because it’s a great idea to have an outdoor theater. But because back then the tax collecting authorities (IRS?) collected taxes only for the square footage of the building that exists on the land. What a lightbulb of an idea, put a small shack with a projector in it and a screen on the other end and collect the profits with little overhead and taxation. Fits the adage, you build it, the rest shall come. We have the books from the 30’s onto the 50’s, he was making money HAND OVER FIST with little taxation. Ironically by the 50’s he got out of the business because the profits were declining and the tax structure changed. He then went into the motel/hotel business. If anybody reads this, and have pictures, I would love to have copies as I have none. Please inbox me at .
I’m glad you guys are talking about this. My Grandfather owned the land at present day Garden State Plaza where the former Paramus Drive-In Movie sits. One day back in the 30’s my grandfather was sitting on this land wondering what to do with it. Family legend has it that he struck on the idea of an outdoor movie theater there not because it’s a great idea to have an outdoor theater. But because back then the tax collecting authorities (IRS?) collected taxes only for the square footage of the building that exists on the land. What a lightbulb of an idea, put a small shack with a projector in it and a screen on the other end and collect the profits with little overhead and taxation. Fits the adage, you build it, the rest shall come. We have the books from the 30’s onto the 50’s, he was making money HAND OVER FIST with little taxation. Ironically by the 50’s he got out of the business because the profits were declining and the tax structure changed. He then went into the motel/hotel business. If anybody reads this, and have pictures, I would love to have copies as I have none. Please inbox me at .