New Owners Purchase Sterling Fox 5 Theatre and Starlite Drive In
Two of Sterlings longstanding movie venues have new local owners, Troy and Brenda Schott, according to reporting in the Journal Advocate republished by BigScreen Journal. The purchase preserves community cultural anchors that drive downtown foot traffic, support local events, and provide regional entertainment throughout the year.
Troy and Brenda Schott have purchased the downtown Fox 5 Theatre and the Starlite Twin Drive In, according to Journal Advocate reporting republished by BigScreen Journal. The deal transfers ownership of two of Sterlings most familiar entertainment venues to local hands, and signals continuity for businesses that contribute to the citys cultural life.
The Fox 5 Theatre first opened in 1938, making the venue 87 years old this year. The Starlite Twin Drive In has provided longstanding service to the wider region, anchoring summer outings and weekend programs that draw residents from across Logan County. Together the venues have helped sustain downtown foot traffic and provided spaces for community gatherings, film showings, and seasonal programming.
The new owners have said they will learn the operations while continuing to run other local businesses, indicating an incremental approach to management that aims to keep the theaters active while maintaining local economic ties. That approach reduces the immediate risk of extended closures and gives the community time to adapt programming and partnerships around the facilities. For Sterling, maintaining these venues supports nearby retailers and restaurants that benefit when moviegoers visit town.
Economically, small independent theaters are frequently important drivers of local spending, and preserving long running cultural assets can be a cost effective complement to broader downtown revitalization efforts. The sale comes at a time when communities nationwide are experimenting with mixed use offerings in theaters, from live events to themed screenings, to broaden revenue streams. Local policymakers and economic development groups may find opportunities to support the Schotts through promotional campaigns, light regulatory support for events, or historic preservation incentives that help offset renovation costs.
For residents, the immediate impact is practical and symbolic. The theaters remain in local ownership, reducing the chance of a transfer to absentee or non local operators who might change programming or close the sites. Over the medium term, successful operation will help sustain jobs, encourage evening and weekend commerce, and preserve community gathering places that contribute to Sterlings identity. The Journal Advocate coverage republished by BigScreen Journal provides the initial reporting on the sale and future plans.
