The Moonlite Drive-In Theatre & Venue
Amanda Forrester
July 14, 2026
Saving the Moonlite: A Family’s Mission to Restore a Virginia Landmark
Owner(s): Renee and Kyle Blevins
Website: https://www.moonliteabingdon.com/
The Moonlite Drive-In Theatre has woven itself into the lives of generations in Washington County. Originally built in 1949, it became a beloved gathering place for families who curled up under blankets and watched movies beneath the stars. For many locals, including the current owners, it held memories of childhood visits, first dates, and long summer nights. When the theatre closed in 2013 because it could not secure a digital projector, the loss resonated deeply across the community.
For Renee and Kyle Blevins, the connection to the Moonlite runs even deeper. Renee grew up just a few miles away and visited often with her parents and grandparents. Kyle spent his teenage years there and even performed electrical work for longtime owner William Booker in the early 1990s. Their own relationship began with memories tied to the theatre, including a first date in a limousine and, later, a riverboat cruise arranged by Mr. Booker. In 2016, the family briefly helped reopen the Moonlight for a grassroots revival, but the project halted unexpectedly, and the dream slipped away.
Years later, in 2025, the theatre returned to the market. Renee visited Bristol instead of taking a planned beach trip, and Kyle shared the news: the Moonlite was for sale again. Their daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Chance Crusenberry had already agreed to join them in restoring it. Despite lingering heartbreak from the earlier setback, Renee found herself saying words she never expected to say again: “I always thought it was a good idea.” When they arrived for their appointment, another group stood at the end of the driveway with permission to tear the theatre down. The family realized the Moonlite could vanish forever. Their offer was accepted, and they moved quickly to save the historic landmark.
Restoring a seventy-five-year-old property proved far more complex than anticipated. Renovation costs escalated, and the family invested every available resource until funds nearly ran out. At that critical moment, a banker encouraged them to reach out again to Cindy Fields at the Virginia Highlands Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The family had worked with her briefly at the start, but this time they needed deeper guidance. Cindy collaborated with other drive-in theatre owners and the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association to research industry benchmarks and develop detailed financial projections. Her comprehensive report became the centerpiece of the financing package that helped the family secure a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and continue renovations.
“The SBDC helped us understand what lenders needed to see and how to plan realistically,” Renee shared. “Cindy’s work absolutely moved this project forward.”
The Moonlite reopened in July 2025 to overwhelming community support. Families arrived early to see the renovated grounds, and moviegoers stayed late, reminiscing about favorite memories of the theatre. The venue has already hosted concerts featuring major artists and community events, including school fundraisers. During the off-season, Renee and Kyle plan to expand revenue opportunities through festivals, private events, and advertising partnerships. They also intend to launch a 1950s-style Airbnb in the apartment beneath the screen tower, complete with vintage touches sourced from estate sales.
“The Moonlite is more than a business. It is a piece of our past and a promise for our future,” Renee said. “We feel privileged to bring it back to life and want to thank the community that has rallied behind it.”
The Moonlite now shines again, restored with love and preserved for generations of Virginians and visitors who long for the magic beneath an open sky.
Economic Impact
- Secured SBA financing with SBDC-supported projections
- Created 17 jobs at opening, sustaining 13 ongoing positions
- Completed full restoration of a historic cultural landmark
- Reopened to the public on July 18, 2025, with a one hundred percent increase in revenue from launch
