The Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth has closed its doors after 14 years of operation. The shutdown is part of the next phase of the Panther Island Project, which will replace the theater site with a park, a boardwalk, and luxury housing units.
Chris Fortune, the general manager, confirmed that the lease for the property was not renewed. Fortune stated that management was aware the closure was inevitable, describing the past decade and a half as a positive period for the business.
Local residents shared various personal experiences tied to the theater. Megan Ashley, a resident of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, recalled watching films from the bed of a truck and dealing with radio battery issues during screenings. She noted that the venue held many memories for her family.
Ercilia Galloway described the location as the only movie theater her family visits, while Blake Giunta recalled watching films with his current wife before they were married.
Cristian Leguizamo, a Dallas resident, expressed that the news of the closure is upsetting. In response to the shutdown, Ashley initiated a petition aimed at preserving drive-in theaters somewhere in the DFW region. She reported collecting approximately 2,000 signatures for the effort. Ashley stated her motivation includes ensuring her one-year-old daughter has the opportunity to experience the drive-in format in the future.
