Saco Drive-In sold to commercial trailer dealership

SACO — The Saco Drive-In has been sold to a commercial trailer dealership.

The Saco Drive-In, located at 969 Portland Ave., or Route One, operated seasonally from 1939 through 2021 and was one of the oldest drive-in theaters in operation. The single-screen theater received community support in 2013 and won a national contest that enabled it to switch to digital technology and remain in business.

The Boulos Company commercial real estate company announced in its listing of January transactions that Hale Trailer Brake and Wheel, the largest independent commercial trailer dealership in North America, had purchased the 33.26 acre Saco Drive-In parcel at 967and 969 Portland Ave. from Roberge Construction. Hale Trailer had been searching for land since 2020, and the new acquisition will allow the company to increase its building footprint and outdoor area, according to the listing.

Neal Bangor, general manager of Hale Trailer Brake and Wheel confirmed in an email that the company had purchased the property. He said it intended to move its dealership from its current location in Portland to the new parcel in Saco.

 Hale Trailer Brake and Wheel has 14 locations along the East Coast as well as Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Iowa. Headquartered in New Jersey, the company offers sales and rentals of storage and shipping trailers and office and job-site trailers.

The Saco Drive-In thanked its customers on Facebook on Monday.

“The past 2 years have been a challenge. Owning the property since 1986, selling the drive-in was one of the hardest decisions we had to make,” said theater management in the post. “Covid played a part in our decision from having to operate at reduced capacity, inconsistent supply chains, staffing shortages, movie shortages and online streaming to name a few. It has been our pleasure serving you and appreciate everyone who supported us.”

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.