AUSTIN, Texas — Austin's Blue Starlite Urban Drive-In is closing its primary location for a future move.
Blue Starlite announced Wednesday that after four years of primary operations at its Mueller location, that theater will have its final public nights June 22-23 and June 29-July 1 ahead of a to-be-announced move later this summer. The theater's Downtown Austin location will continue its normal programming.
"We have loved our operation on Franklin Avenue and being able to serve the community throughout the pandemic lockdown was especially meaningful … but the clock is ticking on that space," creator Josh Frank said. "The owners of the lot has been a huge advocate for us remaining there for as long as possible as they worked toward it’s future development and we are so grateful for their support all these years. Although we will be sad to be leaving the great experiences and memories we made at our Mueller location, we’ve been hard at work on our next big thing and we can’t wait to make those plans public."
Blue Starlite opened its first location in an alley on East Cesar Chavez 15 years ago. Two years later, it expanded to East Sixth Street, then enjoyed a 5-year residency at the Austin Film Society on Middle Fiskville Road.
For the past four years, the theater's headquarters has been located on Franklin Avenue, on the outskirts of the Mueller neighborhood. The Mueller location features a 3-screen drive-in, plus an additional forest walk-in screen and other unique outdoor experiences.
Blue Starlite opened its downtown location on the rooftop of a state parking garage during the pandemic lockdown. That location will continue full operations five nights a week on its three screens.
Until the move later this summer, the Mueller location will remain available for private rentals but will no longer have public shows. Blue Starlite said developers are considering including the forest walk-in screen as part of a new community planned for the area.
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