10/02/2025
Long post warning –
As many of you have seen, the “For Sale” sign was retired after its nearly 4-year stand on the south end of our lot. We are happy to announce there are new owners of the Drive In for 2026, and many years beyond. All of our Social Media, Website and other sites will be turned over to them in the next few days. We will be advising them all off season and in the start up phase of the 2026 season. We will allow them to introduce themselves when they are ready.
This place is an institution, starting off in 1964 with the dream and determination of Thelma Nierengarten, continued by my bosses, Mary and Marv Schroeder, who taught me so many things about the business – most of which I never knew I would put to practical use 19 years after I worked for them. They ran a tight ship and were amazing first employers. I will always think of Marv when I rinse out a rag “the right way” at a sink with the faucet running (If you know, you know!). I hope I did them proud! Next up was the Oakland and Pagel families, each with their own chapter in the book of the Drive In.
On behalf of my family, former staff and myself, I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to our loyal customers. The Drive In would not be entering its 62nd year of business without all of your support over the years.
To the staff, THANK YOU for riding this wild ride with me. THANK YOU to the parents who trusted me with your young adults. We had ups, downs, laughter, blood, SWEAT, tears, and everything between. From the early years trying to come up with theme nights, battling road closures, then a global pandemic. Thanks for living out my crazy ideas and for being the glue that held the place together. The friendships and relationships that were formed will last a lifetime. Many of you came there never having worked a job before. It has been my privilege to work alongside you, and to now watch you living out your dreams. Thank you for being our forever Drive In family.
There aren’t enough words to thank my family, many of who also worked with me. Mom, who did so much prep for us…world champion bacon fryer and cabbage shredder, just to scratch the surface. She did whatever she could any day, any time, including the early years helping with our kids and being on call every day to wash dishes if the phone rang, she would just answer and say “I’m on my way”! She usually left her coffee mug random places in the building. It was our own little “where’s Waldo” with Jan’s cup. Dad, the best and most loyal take-out box supplier and taste tester. You always said your job was to stay out of the way. And ours was to make you M&M flurries whenever we got to see you 😉
My nieces and nephew who worked with me. Thanks for leading by example and letting me be your “boss-aunt”. The best part of it all was the time we spent together, and the fact you were all pretty badass employees. With love and moderate toleration, Liv! My sister, Nickie…graphic designer, menu designer, ad builder and most importantly the “Nickie-filter” who took my rants and translated them into eloquent posts online. The rest of my family by blood and by choice, thank you for always lifting me up, being my sounding board, talking me off the ledge a time or a hundred, and all the support you gave us over the years!
Bob, Hannah and Adam… The ones who sacrificed the most. NONE of the last 16 years of Drive In success would be possible without you. Early on Bob was given the name “Bob the Builder”. If it broke, he could fix it…when he wasn’t busy mowing the lawn 😉. He was a single parent to the kids from May-September, until they were old enough to join the crew. Every call at every hour he faithfully (now, I didn’t say it was always happily) came to our rescue to fix what was broken, and even on a few occasions wash dishes! Hannah and Adam, you didn’t have any choice in this whole crazy plan since you were only 6 and 4 when our chapter started. You went the distance from preschool to college graduation during this time! I am grateful you rolled with our hectic life, grateful you had some pretty amazing people in your lives as surrogate older siblings, most of all, grateful for all your hard work, the work ethic you developed, and for the opportunity to work side by side with you every summer you were able. I will forever have mom guilt for robbing you of traditional summer experiences, but have zero regrets for all the time we spent together.
The old adage is true. You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. You all definitely made me look good! Thank you all, family, staff and customers for the last 16 years. I have been truly blessed. Here’s to the next chapter, not only for the Thorsen family, but also for the Drive In. This was my first job ever. What a privilege to have been able to come home and run the business. All told, I have worked here for 1/3 of the Drive In’s existence! How lucky am I?
With the utmost love and appreciation, thank you from the bottom of my heart for an amazing experience. Steph Thorsen
