On a brisk October evening, the smell of fresh popcorn and sound of children’s laughter filled the air at the Mission Marquee Plaza. Slab Cinema, a pop-up theatre, screened “Cat in the Hat Knows All About Halloween” for family night on the South Side of town.
The Mission Drive-in opened in 1948 and closed in 2007 due to vandalism and damage. The drive-in reopened later in 2007 on Aug. 24 on a trial basis.
The venue, aptly renamed Mission Marquee Plaza, converted into a historic and cultural center with the main screen restored and the remaining screens and snack bar demolished to make room for a library.
With the Mission Drive-in reopening, Slab Cinema is collaborating with the theatre to bring the South Side community movie screenings year-round.
Slab Cinema has citywide collaborators including Nature Trailhead Park of Alamo Heights, San Antonio Museum of Art, Hemisfair Park and Sunken Gardens Theatre.
Between the theatre and other local development in the area, South Side residents are likely to see more growth within their community, offering more cultural events.
The reopening of the drive-in really hits home for Eugenia Alfaro, a South Side resident for more than 30 years. Alfaro took her children to the theatre decades ago and now takes her grandchildren.
“My daughter told me the theatre was reopened from time to time and I knew I wanted to take my grandbabies,” she said. Now that they’re old enough, Alfaro takes her grandchildren to share her own memories.
Renovations to the Mission Marquee accompanied other improvements in the area. In 2011, the City of San Antonio opened the Mission Branch Library, the first completed project on-site. Other projects underway include street repairs along Roosevelt, Mission and Southcross Ave, drainage, lighting and parking.
“All of the growth near my house has been a blessing. We have more food options, places to shop, and things for my grandbabies to do,” Alfaro said.
Jonathan Ramirez, a lifelong resident and attended the movie with his younger sisters, shared his view on the his community.
“Seeing these new changes and the refurbished vintage buildings really brings out the heritage and pride of the South Side our grandparents talk about,” Ramirez said. “It’s becoming more like home with all the passing time.”
“In my opinion, I feel like the South Side has the most cultura of any other side of the city,” Ramirez continued. “From the San Antonio Missions on the river, to the San Antonio Shoes factory on New Laredo Highway, from downtown San Antonio, to the flea markets off of Highway 410; you’ll always find a different side of town, and different kinds of people, in the South Side you’ll find the heart of San Antonio.”
