A New Chapter for the Mustang Drive-In

For the residents in the County, the Mustang Drive-In is more than just a place to watch with your loved ones or your peers. It is a summer tradition, a memory and a familiar place growing up. The question is not whether the Mustang Drive-In has new owners but whether one of the County’s best-loved summer traditions can stay affordable, familiar, and movie-first as it heads into a new chapter.

That is the feeling you can see in many community comments. A lot of people are genuinely happy to see the Mustang stay in local hands, especially after the property was put up for sale in 2023 with hopes that any buyer would keep it operating as a drive-in. But the excitement comes with expectations. People are open to change but only to a point. They also want the old charm, fair pricing, and the feeling that the movies still come first under the night sky. 

The details of the sale itself is clear enough. Cottage Life reported that the Mustang sold for $1.25 million to Ian Chislett and Aravind Selvaraj, two local food entrepreneurs who built followings through Rebel Taco and Arvy’s Street Eats. They already have a following in the area which gave people confidence in this new era. Their plans include themed movie nights, tacos and other snack-bar food, lawn games, a beer garden, and more family-focused activities on the property. This idea makes the space more lively and gives people reasons to visit. 

However, with everything going smoothly, what is less clear is one detail from the original coverage: the claim that the Mustang has been running since 1945 but does not match the public information. The drive-in’s own website describes it as operating since the 1950s, while a South Eastern Ontario profile says it opened in 1956. While the exact year is uncertain, the main point is not. This is a long-running County institution, and that history is exactly why people anticipated it.

The community’s response shows that this is about more than a business deal. People from the community said they trust the new owners and are excited to see the drive-in continue instead of disappearing or being redeveloped. Others focused on what they hope does not change: the family atmosphere, the nostalgia, and the sense that a night at the Mustang should still feel simple and accessible.

That concern about affordability is worth taking seriously. The Mustang’s official ticket page currently lists admission at $30 per carload for up to five people, which can be a strong value for families but less appealing for solo visitors or couples. The site also says outside food and drinks are not allowed, which matters when people are thinking about the total cost of a night out. In the comments, some readers praised the owners’ talk about keeping things affordable, while others said they hope pricing stays realistic and the experience does not drift too far from what locals remember.

There isa strong nostalgia in these reactions, but it is not just about the past but what people value today. People are open to tacos, themed events, and a refreshed space. What they do not want is for the Mustang to stop feeling like the Mustang.

For now, the new owners - Chislett and Selvaraj seem to have a lot of community support. That goodwill is important, but it also comes with responsibility. The challenge will be finding the right balance between new ideas and old traditions. If they can add fresh energy without taking away what people already love, the Mustang can continue to grow while staying true to itself. 

What would make this next version of the Mustang feel true to the drive-in people already love? Let us know your thoughts on this!