Drive-In owners speak to building and grounds committee about the sale of the landmark Carter County attraction

Published 3:49 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2023

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BY ROBERT SORRELL
Star Correspondent
The current owners of the Stateline Drive-In plan to sell the landmark Carter County attraction but hope its next owners continue operating the theater.
Stateline owner Andy Wetzel spoke to the Carter County Commission’s building and grounds committee on Tuesday about his intentions.
Late last year, Wetzel approached the city of Elizabethton and the county about possibly selling the property. The city has shown no interest in purchasing the property, said Wetzel, who has owned the Stateline for more than two decades.
In November, the county’s building and grounds committee decided to seek an appraisal for the property. Wetzel shared the results of that appraisal Tuesday and said the property is valued at $731,500.
As a result, Wetzel hopes to sell the property for $730,000 and the theater equipment for $120,000. One option, he said, is to sell the property to the county, which could then lease out the property to whoever purchases the equipment. He said the county could also hire someone to operate the theater.
Wetzel said he and his wife decided to sell the Stateline, which covers about four acres of land along U.S. Highway 19E, six months ago.
“I understand it’s part of the community,” said Wetzel, who added that the theater is a historic part of Carter County.
The theater originally opened in 1947. In 2014, the community helped the theater receive modern equipment through Honda’s Project Drive-In.
Wetzel clarified that he has no plan to close the theater and there has been no discussion with the city or county to do so.
The Stateline Drive-In continues to make money, he said. He shared gross income numbers with the committee. The theater grossed $111,000 in 2016 and $83,000 in 2021. He noted that the theater is open six months a year and income comes from movie ticket sales and concessions.
“I’m going to sell it,” Wetzel said.
He reiterated that the sale of the theater is a “business decision,” but he hopes the theater will still be open.
The theater’s equipment is in “pristine” condition, Wetzel said, but the screen needs repairs.

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