KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — A beloved drive-in theater in Kings Mountain is closing.
Hound's Drive-In Theater announced on its website and on Facebook that the theater is closing for good after seven seasons.
"This has been a very difficult decision for my father and I," the message on Facebook from owner Preston Brown reads. "We started this journey together with a vision of a campground and drive-in movie theater that ultimately turned into the #1 highest-grossing drive-in theater with the largest screens in the nation."
The post goes on to say in its seven seasons, the theater broke attendance records compared to other drive-ins as well as walk-in theaters.
"It was something I had experienced growing up, then when this one opened, I got to share that same experience with my son and it was that much more special," customer Reshawna Greene said.
In April 2020, severe storms toppled one of the drive-in's screens -- a challenge that came on top of the impacts of COVID-19 on the business. Still, the drive-in made the most of it, using the space to hold church services, graduations and concerts in 2020.
In the post, Brown notes he'll miss regular customers, loyal employees, and special seasonal events -- but he won't miss the demanding hours or weather impacts.
“July the 4th -- that was especially my favorite, they would have a huge firework show down by the screens, everyone loved it so much,” former employee Skylar Turner said.
Brown also called out Kings Mountain City Council for strict zoning ordinances, saying the town has experienced little growth in response.
"I am very proud of what we brought to our small town of Kings Mountain," Brown's post reads. "Many local businesses have thanked me for bringing tourists to the area because their restaurants and gas stations have flourished but it is unlikely there will ever be another Drive-in theater or campground in this county."
Brown thanked his wife and his father for their support in his dream of operating a drive-in, and said he's looking forward to spending more time with his son.
Moving forward, it has many people wondering what's next.
A look at Cleveland County tax records shows since at least 2021, the land Hounds Drive-In sits on has been owned by Albemarle U.S. Incorporated. The industrial company works in energy resources such as lithium. Lithium is considered the fuel of the future, used to power electric vehicles and phones.
The community is now being forced to let go of the past, and look toward the future, but not everyone is ready for the switch.
“What’s it going to cost the community in the long run, there’s pro and cons to everything but for me, I look at it as more of a loss than a gain," Greene said.
Brown said ever since announcing the permanent closure, other cities and counties have reached out with incentives about building the same business in their areas.