Dearborn Calls Cut On Drive-In Movie Theater's Plan To Reopen

DEARBORN, MI — A drive-in movie theater in Dearborn was primed to reopen at midnight Friday, but authorities called cut on the plan and ordered the theater to close.

Management at Ford Wyoming Drive-In movie theater said that as it reopened Friday morning, police served them with a cease and desist order requiring the theater close due to executive orders put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"After 2 1/2 months of remaining closed due to the Governor’s executive orders amidst the coronavirus pandemic, we re-opened our drive-in theater last night," the theater posted to Facebook. "The smell of fresh popcorn once again wafted from the concession stand, and the night was lit once more by the movies playing on our drive-in screens. And while our hearts should be full of happiness from the outpouring of excitement and gratitude from our loyal patrons, instead our hearts are heavy with sadness today."

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The theater had planned to reopen Friday because a previous order by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer relaxed stay-home orders across the state beginning May 29. That order has since been extended to June 12. It specifically mentions movie theaters as locations that cannot yet reopen due to the large amount of people that gather at them.

Much of the state's business community has been paused due to the coronavirus, which had claimed over 5,300 people in Michigan as of Thursday morning. Michigan also has reported more than 56,000 total cases of the virus within the state. Dearborn leads Wayne County communities — aside from Detroit — in coronavirus cases.

Related: Plymouth Penn Theatre Begins Curbside Concessions

Theater management said that with significant measures put in place to maintain social distancing and sanitation across the facility, it believed it could reopen successfully while adhering to guidelines.

"We sincerely apologize to our drive-In community, all of whom were excited to return to our drive-in," theater management said in a Facebook post. "Our entire staff looked forward to seeing you enjoying the movies at the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In. Know that our number one priority is the well-being of our customers and staff.

"We anticipate that we will be able to re-open around June 12 barring any additional changes in the stay-at-home orders. We cannot say enough how sorry we are to remain closed, and we hope that we will see you all again when the Governor’s orders permit us to re-open."

City officials said in Facebook post that the theater cannot operate until the state's stay-home order expires or is amended to allow them to.

“When the ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ order is lifted, we look forward to seeing our residents get out and enjoy the amenities our local businesses have to offer,” Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr. said in a statement. “However, the drive-in cannot re-open until the state allows it.”

The theater had publicized it would reopen Thursday for ticket sales, with movies beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.

“In time, and with proper social distancing and safety precautions in place, the public will be able to enjoy social activities again, and we hope that includes the Ford Wyoming Drive In,” O’Reilly said.

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