Transit Drive-In
6655 S. Transit Road,
Lockport,
NY
14094
6655 S. Transit Road,
Lockport,
NY
14094
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Became part of Holiday Theatres in 1967
Buffalo News 4-22-2022
The Transit Drive-In has been a safe and popular destination for family entertainment during Covid-19, but the uncertainty and sudden loss of life the pandemic has brought led third-generation owner Rick Cohen to a major life decision.
After 65 years of Cohen family ownership, and 35 years in which he worked as manager and later sole owner, Cohen has reached an agreement to sell the Lockport drive-in to Dipson Theatres, which plans to continue operating it as a drive-in.
Dipson began running the theater in March under a management agreement, with Cohen assisting the staff during the transition. The sale is expected to close in late spring or early summer. Cohen would not disclose the terms of the sale.
“I’ve had friends my age drop dead of a heart attack,” Cohen said. “They worked and worked and worked, and one day they were gone. After the last two years of Covid, I decided I don’t want to work until I’m no longer able to work, and I want to be able to enjoy some quality retirement time.”
The snack bar was gutted by a fire in the snack bar on 7/8/1973 reported about 3.10pm(possibly started in the newly installed french fry unit). The fire also slighty damaged the projection booth, but thats nights movie “Last tango in Paris, was still screened. Screen 2 opened in 1994. Screen 3 opened in 1996. Screen 4 opened in 2001.
Opened on 1/8/1952 with “Carbine Williams” and “Calling Bulldog Dummond”.
Variety story on the Transit Drive-In adapting.
https://variety.com/2020/film/features/drive-in-movie-theaters-coronavirus-safety-measures-1234612749/?fbclid=IwAR3aaG7KN6wO6dIMS_oF_gw4CKlEWR_nwLp2NAZVWtv-JNsPtnrsgE62lFA
The group of Buffalo businessmen who built the Transit included Anthony Ragusa, George Tater, Louis Battaglia, and John Battaglia.
The 1953-57 editions of the Motion Picture Almanac had Battaglia & Ragusa as owners and the capacity was exactly 392. In the 1959-66 editions, I. Cohen was the owner. By 1978, it was M. Cohen, and that’s how it stayed through the last list in 1988.
NewYorkDriveIns.com says screen 2 opened in 1994, screen 3 opened in 1996, and screen 4 opened in 2001. The fifth screen went up in 2016.
Ulrich Signs built them a gorgeous marquee in 2014.
A 2015 story in The Daily Beast liberally quotes current owner Rick Cohen in describing the Transit’s history of a sometimes-porn theater in the 1970s.
Just added some new pictures!!
Grand opening on August 1, 1952. Now has five screens.
LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) – The lake effect blast that buried the Ralph, forced the Buffalo Bills to move their home game against the New York Jets to Detroit. As a result, a special tailgating party was held at the Transit Drive-in Theater in Lockport Monday night. Fans were chanting, tailgating, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills in the lot. “We’re all one. The team and the fans are all one,” fan Matt Rosenhahn said. Some fans said they wanted to see the game in Detroit, but couldn’t make it there. “We were going to go to Detroit and we decided we couldn’t make it. So we were going to come here because there’s going to be a bunch of people,” Kevin St. Laurent, a Bills fan said. “We tailgate every week and we couldn’t make it out to Detroit,” Dan Frisicaro, a Bills season ticket holder said. Frisicaro had the grill going, flags up and brought the cooler and chairs to the lot. “This is the only chance you get to see the Bills on a screen this big.” Fans said this was much better than watching the game at home. “You know what, at home you don’t get as much of an atmosphere,” Rosenhahn said. “This is good, because you’ve got the Buffalo fan camaraderie going on right now.” “I’ve got my cousin in town and he’s from California. I wanted to give him a Bills experience and this is the closest we’re going to get,” DJ Mocarski said. Anthony Mocarski of California said the atmosphere at the drive-in was great. “Even though it’s a little cold it doesn’t bother me. I’m just happy to be out here with some of the best fans Buffalo has to offer.” Diehard fans explained they were happy to cheer on their team whether it was in Detroit, at the Ralph or at a drive-in. “Go Bills!” Frisicaro said. Admission was free at the drive-in and all proceeds from the snack stand went to the Buffalo City Mission
The exact address is 6655 Transit Road, Lockport, NY.
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The link above is an article from .the Buffalo News about the Transit Drive-In
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The above article deals with the opening of the Transit for the 2008 season.
Phone number 1963: HF4-2501
On my day trip to Lockport NY to see the Palace I drove by this drive-in and saw the 4 screens! I also noticed at the entrance the famous sad and happy theatrical faces. Worth seeing!