McHenry Times

In McHenry, the owner of a drive-in movie theater is hoping to open with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions for some businesses.

“As long as it can be done safely and responsibly, which I’m convinced that it can be done, I don’t see why a drive-in theater can’t be opened during this time,” Scott Dehn, president and owner of Golden Age Cinemas, told Fox 32. 

The theater isn't an "essential" business and can't technically open, but Dehn said what the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health said gave him hope. 

“We’re not actually done thinking about that, because potentially there is a way to do this, you know, maybe with no concession stands, nobody coming up to the window, so really still trying to think about that,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement, according to Fox 32. 

Dehn said he thinks people just want to get out of their houses at this point. 

“If it was required that no food could be sold, that’s OK too," Dehn said. "I think most people at this point just want to get out and I’m in the same boat. I mean I think if there were puppet shows, you know, shadow puppets on the screen, I might even pay to see that at this point. So, it’s just trying to bring a little bit of normalcy back while still being safe and responsible."