Our Company
The Zimmerman family has been in the movie industry for over 40 years. Marie Zimmerman, the matriarch of the family, started working in 1965 at the Rustic Drive-In, near the Westmoreland Fairgrounds. She continued her career in the industry over the years working in the various local theatres such as Cinema World, Quad Cinemas, Cinemas IV, Laurel Mall Cinemas, Laurel 30 Cinema (later called Laurel 30 Twin) and of course the Hi-Way Drive-In. Her family followed in her footsteps, working in many of the theatres in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.
Lee, Maries son, started his career the same time that Marie did at the Rustic Drive In at the age of 10. He got paid a whopping twenty five cents an hour! He moved on after high school, working maintenance on theatres, and soon became the director of maintenance for Ohio Movies Corporation. Lee serves as the projectionist at the Hi-Way and is most often seen in the concession stand working.
Kathy, Maries daughter-in-law, started out working at the Solon Theatre, an indoor movie theatre in Solon, Ohio in 1973. Shortly thereafter, she moved back to the Pittsburgh area and started working for Marie as her assistant manager at the Cinemas World in Westmoreland Mall. She also worked as a relief manager for several of the area theatres owned by the same corporation. Kathy is the person that most often greets you as you enter the Hi-way in the ticket booth.
Staci, Lee and Kathys daughter now at the age of 19, has been working for several years at the Hi-Way. She is currently going to college to become a photographer. We are not sure if the movie business is in her blood yet, but she will be the third generation of the family if it is!
After so many years, theatres-- especially drive-ins-- have become a big part of the family. As you can see the movie business is definitely in our blood. In December 2003 the lease owner of the Hi-Way Drive In, Artemis Manos of Elika Corporation, passed away leaving it in jeopardy of closing indefinitely. So Lee and Kathy stepped in and created SODI, LLC (Save Our Drive In), the new parent company to the Hi-Way. After three generations and over 30 years working there, we just couldnt sit idle and let the Hi-way close. We look forward to having the drive in for many years to come.
Drive-in theatres are unique and rich in history. They provide a fun, family atmosphere unlike any other type of movie theatre. Most of you will always remember the first time you went to a drive in-- thus the phrase in our logo Where memories are made. We, the Zimmermans, have a true love for the Hi-Way Drive In, and we wish to pass that on to anyone who comes to enjoy a movie. We also found that it is a perfect place to have a flea market, so every Sunday you can join us for a nice walk around the grounds looking for a special treasure you just cant live without. We hope that the drive in has, or will, become a family tradition for your family as it has for ours.
In 2005, we acquired Latrobe Family Cinemas, formerly Cineburger, and have worked very hard to create the same friendly atmosphere there as we have at the drive in. Although it is an indoor theatre, it is unique in that we serve food to you while you watch the movie. Join us there when the drive in is closed for the season! Click here to visit the Latrobe Family Cinemas website.