The long-standing tradition of catching a movie at Bengie's Drive-In Theatre could come to an end pending the decision expected to be made in a Baltimore County Circuit Court case this week.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the Middle River drive-in theater might close up shop if its owner, Edward Vogel, doesn't win a lawsuit he filed against a nearby Royal Farms store over the shop's outdoor lighting.
"If the lights are allowed to remain — it becomes a business decision, to say to myself, 'I can't get protection from Baltimore County. I can't win against these lights,'" Vogel told the Sun. He explained that the lights at the store interfere with about two-thirds of the 750 spaces at the drive-in.
Vogel told the Sun that the lights force him to delay opening the theater until nearby trees are in full bloom (to act as a barrier against the light) and that he's been unable to add a second screen to the theater as a result of the convenience store's outdoor lighting.
You can read the full story over at The Baltimore Sun.
Do you and your family go to Bengie's to see movies? Are you worried about the possibility of losing the drive-in? Tell us in the comments.
It's my understanding that Royal Farms agreed not to place these massive overhead light when they applied for the permit and then once they got it, they did whatever they wanted . It's not fair to Mr Vogel , who tryed to be proactive at the start to have to spend his hard earned money after the fact to fight a business that totally disrespected the permit process and it's guidelines. Maybe you can buy and plant the trees and pay to keep Bengies alive for the next few years while they grow. Get real !!!
That said, Mr. Vogel is one of the slimiest, idiotic, fools to ever operate a business. he burns every bridge- most before he even crosses them. A few years ago he was whining to the masses about closing, and now the D'ster is waxing desperate rather than doing something about it. If trees can block the light, build a wall- those trees are no larger than, say, Vogel's ego. He has every opportunity to make that drive-in a fantastic place (theme nights, flea markets, car shows, swap meets, and so many more things to choose), yet he stays hidden in his projection booth, sipping coffee he purchased from the very Farm store (I've seen him in there many mornings), and begging everyone to show him empathy. Well, Mr. Vogel, earn it!
Whew, I sound crazy.
Bengies owner vogel wins suit against royal farm $853000.. WTG Mr. Vogel.
As mentioned, the county issued a building permit with light restrictions. WHY has Royal Farms been allowed to violate that permit? And, as noted, Vogel won the lawsuit. Will he build a wall or pocket the money? AND, as noted, planting trees would be an effective alternative... he has been fighting this battle for more than a year or two... the trees could already have been growing if he had been proactive in this way! This is an historic place... drive-ins are the country have disappeared. Does the community want this to be another "we had it once upon a time" ??? Time will tell if another generation gets to make happy memories
That doesn't make him any less of the "Soup Nazi" of drive-ins.