Local drive-in begins alcohol sales

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Elm Road Triple Drive-In Theatre has been a community staple for generations, and it has recently undergone a couple of upgrades. A project years in the making, the work on the covered patio outside the concession stand is finally done, complete with a bar window ready to serve alcohol.

Two liquor licenses were issued on July 18 while a third is pending. The approved licenses include a D1 and D2 liquor license, authorizing the sale of beer, wine, and pre-packaged low-proof mixed beverages until 1 a.m. The third license the drive-in applied for is a D6 , which would allow alcohol sales on Sundays, although Mark Hocevar says they’re primarily going to focus on Friday and Saturday sales of wine and beer.

The drive-in has been family-owned and operated since 1950. Right now it rests in the hands of Mark Hocevar, his wife Sheri, and their three children, Jake, Josh and Erika.

“It’s an entertainment venue, and what entertainment venue doesn’t offer adult beverages?” Hocevar said. “So it’s a natural expansion of our business and it gives us a venue to do some different things.”

Last Saturday marked the soft launch for alcohol sales, but the big weekend is still ahead as the sales make their debut along with the anticipated showing of Deadpool & Wolverine. Hocevar said last Saturday marked the busiest day in the theater’s 74 years with the showing of Twisters.

Six of the eight beers on tap are craft, featuring local brands such as Modern Methods Brewing Company in Warren and Birdfish Brewing Co. in Columbiana. They also have a few offerings from Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland.

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