The heart of the Mustang: Why saving an 80 year old drive-in matters to Ontario’s cultural soul

The purchase by Ian Chislett and Aravind Selvaraj, two chefs who bonded over their shared love for the county, represents a rare win for community heritage over commercial redevelopment. In a region where nine acres of prime land is often viewed merely as a footprint for new housing, the commitment to keep the film rolling is a testament to the value of local tradition.

A legacy worth more than the land

For former co-owner Dawn Laing, the sale was fraught with the weight of history. Selling a business that has operated for nearly eight decades (2) involves more than finding a buyer with the right capital; it requires finding someone who values the "legacy business" enough to protect it from the wrecking ball.

“Something that most people don’t know is that when you’re selling a business, I can say I want them to keep it as a drive-in … the person on the other end of that could say, ‘Yeah, we’ll totally do that,’ and the second they get the keys, they can do whatever they want,” Laing told Toronto Star.

The risk of losing the Mustang was high. Since the mid-20th century, the number of drive-ins in Ontario has plummeted from over 150 to roughly 15 (3). The fact that the Mustang will remain a theatre is a rare reversal of this trend, ensuring that the nostalgia of the car-bound cinema experience remains accessible for another generation.

Creating a sanctuary of affordability

The preservation of the drive-in also addresses a growing concern in Prince Edward County: the loss of accessible spaces for residents and visitors who aren't looking for a high-priced excursion. As the area becomes more exclusive, the Mustang represents a deliberate choice to remain inclusive.

“There’s a lot of reasons to come to Prince Edward County. There’s a lot of beautiful things to see and do, but unfortunately, a lot of it is kind of priced out of people’s range,” Chislett said.

The vision for the site extends beyond movies. By planning a "giant sandbox" and involving local high school students in building picnic tables, the new owners are fostering a sense of ownership among the locals. It’s a shift from a seasonal tourist stop to a year-round community hub where the primary goal is simple: "just to play."

The human connection across generations

The drive-in experience is often tied to formative memories. For Chislett, the motivation to save the Mustang was sparked by his own childhood experience watching "Never Been Kissed" in Port Hope at the age of eight.

“Twenty-four years later, at this point, it’d be pretty cool to be part of building those memories for new people,” he said.

Selvaraj, who joined the venture after years of building his own culinary reputation, saw the move as a way of giving back "in more ways than one." By providing jobs for local teens and hosting events that go beyond the screen, the Mustang is being reimagined as a neighbourhood living room.

In an era of digital streaming and isolated entertainment, the Mustang Drive-In remains a place where people come together under the stars. The preservation of this site ensures that the county keeps its heart, one taco and one movie at a time.

Article sources

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Toronto Star (1); The Mustang PEC (2); Drive-In Movie Database (3)