MIDDLEPORT — By Holly Toal
holly.toal@journal-register.com
MIDDLEPORT — Nothing screams “summer” like the drive-in. With the mild nighttime breeze and smell of hot dogs and popcorn in the air, people often spend their spring and summer nights piling into the car and heading to the drive-in to see a new flick.
At the Sunset Drive-In in Middleport, many movie-goers have been frequenting the drive-in for years.
“If the weather’s good, we’re good,” said Mario Stornelli, who with his wife of 33 years, Denise, owns the business.
In August of this year, the Sunset Drive-In will celebrate its 60th anniversary in business.
A lot of Stornelli’s customers have been coming to the drive-in for years — since they were kids — and now bring their own kids.
The Sunset Drive-In was opened by Stornelli’s father, Alex, in 1950. At that time, it only had one screen and the main restaurant.
The couple also owned the movie theaters in Medina and Albion for a short time.
During his parents’ tenure at the drive-in, Stornelli spent many days as a kid helping out at the restaurant —a tradition his own family would carry on.
In 1994, Stornelli and his wife took over the business. They added two more screens and expanded the restaurant, moved the film projectors upstairs, and enhanced the landscaping.
Throughout the years, one of the biggest changes the drive-in has seen is the switch from speakers to radio sound. Also, Stornelli explained that they still use 33 millimeter film, but it is now loaded onto platters, as opposed to the old-fashioned reel-to-reel. Those platters are run by longtime projectionist Arnold Herdendorf.
Since the restaurant expanded and the projectors were moved upstairs, Stornelli explained that movie-goers have fewer “interruptions,” as kids used to wave their hands in front of the projector.
Three years ago, Stornelli’s son, Kris — who used to hang out at the drive-in as a child — opened an ice cream shop in front of the restaurant, which seems to complete the drive-in experience.
The restaurant at the Sunset Drive-In is now open for dinners, and the Stornellis are hoping to begin showing movies March 26.
The drive-in is located at 9950 Telegraph Road (Route 31) in Middleport. Call 716-735-7372 for movie listings.
Contact editor Holly Toal at 798-1400, ext. 8225.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Holly Toal/staff
Discussion
60 years of movie magic
Stornellis celebrate anniversary at the Sunset Drive-In
- Local News
-
-
Giving new life to the Diana
An effort that started four years ago is now nearing completion to get the marquee and the lights turned back on and the curtain raised for a new multi-purpose community entertainment center usage for the historic Diana theater building.
-
Nothing to wine about
The third time was the charm for Wine About Winter, which brought hundreds of residents and visitors to downtown businesses and organizations and showcased a variety of local wines Saturday.
-
Stop and Shop opens
The East Center Street Stop ‘N Shop is one of 27 Medina businesses hosting wine tastings Saturday during Wine About Winter, and the new store will offer much more when customers come back to shop.
-
Showcase event
Wine About Winter, which is being held from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, brings hundreds of residents and visitors into downtown Medina, but local stores aren’t they only area businesses being showcased this weekend.
-
Uniform Processing uses technology to help lenders, borrowers reach alternatives.
An Albion company uses computer technology to help clear up confusing mortgage transactions.
-
Parties nominate in Albion contests
The Albion Democratic and Republican party caucuses held meetings to nominate candidates for two positions on the village board Tuesday, but the evening ended with only two candidates and some disappointment in the lack of interest in local government.
-
Local leaders have power lunch
Business owners and elected officials gathered Friday at the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative luncheon to discuss the current business climate and look ahead to the legislation that could help or hinder the local economy.
-
Prepared patriots
At mobilization ceremonies across the state this weekend, hundreds of servicemen from the Army National Guard were cheered on their way to training for a possible overseas deployment.
-
A church’s rebirth
The members of the Medina United Methodist Church plan to celebrate the rebirth of their community at this year’s Easter Mass, which church leaders said could be held at the partially constructed facility that will soon be the church’s home.
-
Legislature OKs terms for property sale
The Orleans County Legislature approved a set of terms Wednesday on the proposed sale of a vacant Medina property that was once a Jubilee grocery store to Zor Inc., a holding company affiliated with Evans Ace Hardware.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
