Gala Twin Drive-In

2215 E. Waterloo Road,
Akron, OH 44312

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Selected Theatres Co.

Architects: Jack K. Vogel

Previous Names: Sawyerwood Drive-In, Gala Drive-In

Nearby Theaters

Gala Twin Drive-In

The Sawyerwood Drive-In opened April 1, 1948 with the 1947 Walt Disney animation comedy “Fun and Fancy-Free” with Edgar Bergen and Dinah Shore. The second feature was the 1946 western “Devil’s Playground” with William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy. The new ozoner could park 600 cars along with RCA in-a-car speakers. It was opened by Philips Ramicone Sr. and James Ramicone. The Sawyerwood Drive-In reopened for the 1949 seaon as the Gala Drive-In. Philip Ramicone Sr. passed away on May 28, 1957. Apparently his sons did not want to operate the Gala Drive-In anymore, so it was sold. Nate and Sam Schultz, dba Fayso Theatres Inc. and Selected Theatres Inc. bought the Gala Drive-In on April 3, 1958. Into the 1960’s thru 1980’s Selected Theatres owned and operated most of the drive-in theatres in the Akron area. In the late-1980’s they sold all their drive-in properties and went out of business. On June 29, 1977, the drive-in had reopened as the Gala Twin Drive-In.

On March 6, 1986, Michael Krunich, dba Gala Drive-In Inc. bought the drive-in from Selected Theatres. Michael and his wife Mary Krunich had been leasing the drive-in from Selected Theatres for the past 10 years. In 1997, Krunich closed down the Gala Twin Drive-In for good at the end of the season. In January 1989, the property was sold. He is quoted as saying “it is sad, very sad because that was my life…but I’ve had two heart attacks, you know, and we’re in our golden age right now and we want to enjoy them”. Krunich was 64 years old. The Gala Twin Drive-In was demolished and new commercial buildings were built on it. The development is called ‘Gala Commons’ and its quite fitting.

Contributed by Randy Studer, Chuck

Recent comments (view all 10 comments)

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on June 5, 2010 at 11:16 am

It did park 475 cars and it was owned in the late 50’s by OHIO THEATRE SERVICE.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on June 5, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Interesting that the housing development kept the Gala Name.

Silicon Sam
Silicon Sam on June 5, 2010 at 4:12 pm

It’s not a housing development but a commercial strip center. Several units for sale:

View link

View link

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on June 5, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Thanks SiliconSam,but I think I will pass on buying a unit.Thanks for the info.

sher2112
sher2112 on July 23, 2012 at 8:29 am

My Dad was the projectionist there for years. I miss going with him on Saturdays to fix speakers

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on July 23, 2012 at 9:44 am

Hey sher2112..do you have any pictures to share?

acroyear1
acroyear1 on March 1, 2014 at 6:14 pm

I have many fond memories of this Drive-In theater. It was a real gem. Sorely missed. Wish I had a decent photo of the place. Would even purchase one.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 23, 2016 at 10:36 am

April 1st, 1949 grand opening ad as Gala Drive-In in photo section. It opened in 1948 as Sawyerwood Drive-In.

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