This is the first blog in a new NICE series profiling the exciting and beautiful film exhibition spaces that are looking for new, film-loving owners across Canada.
Have you ever dreamed of showing movies on the big screen under the stars? Ever conjured up your perfect drive-in double bill? Then you don’t want to miss out on this wonderful opportunity to take over the Mustang Drive-In PEC, Bloomfield, Ontario. Check out the listing here.
Dawn Laing and Drew Downs of the Mustang Drive-In PEC have made significant improvements to the property and have big ideas for its exciting potential. The venue features a nostalgic atmosphere with retro concessions and two large screens where guests can enjoy movies from the comfort of their vehicles.
Dawn and Drew got into the film exhibition business completely by accident. They went to the drive-in for a movie and within 24 hours, they had a handshake deal with the previous owners. Could you be the next lucky audience member to stumble into the world of film exhibition?

Tell us about Mustang Drive-In:
The Mustang Drive-In PEC in Bloomfield, Ontario, is a classic outdoor cinema offering double-feature films under the stars. It features a nostalgic atmosphere with retro concessions and two large screens where guests can enjoy movies from the comfort of their vehicles.
Open during the warmer months, it caters to families, couples, and film enthusiasts seeking a unique, vintage movie-going experience. The drive-in is a popular spot in Prince Edward County, blending entertainment with the charm of rural Ontario.

What are your favourite compliments that the Mustang Drive-In receives from your audience?
Dawn: I truly appreciate it when I see so many returning customers. That feels like the best compliment, folks voting with their dollars every week to spend time with us. They come because they love the tradition of it all, how accessible it is, and they appreciate what we’ve created for them. We also get so many compliments on our young staff team who works hard to elevate the experience and it’s with this team’s help we have become so successful.
Drew: We’re always being told how much people appreciate the family-centric, fun for all ages vibe of the Mustang. Prince Edward County has so much to do, but much of it revolves around the wineries, breweries and distilleries as well as the high-quality restaurants in the area. That’s great, but it can be tough for families with children. With the drive-in the first movie on at least one of the screens is always suitable for kids, and then the second movie is something more adult-themed that the parents can watch while the kids sleep in the back seat.

What’s a memorable film screening or event you hosted?
Dawn: I have too many to count, but can I share three? The Last Blockbuster, where we did the most marketing and legwork to promote this fun documentary-film about the end of an era (video rentals) and we had next to NO visitors. One night of the run had one car and we had our staff park their cars at the screen so the customers didn’t feel like they were the only car on the lot. It felt so ominous to show a film about a holdout video rental business and have only a single car at our nostalgia movie showing business! I loved the movie, but just goes to show that sometimes you gotta read the room and our demographic wants more traditional, family fun, movies. We learned a lot that run.
However, most movies are quite popular and I think my favourite showings were the Barbie movie run. So many people dressed up in pink and the energy around the drive-in was electric. Attendance was great and people were just so happy. Multiple groups of people can multiple times to join the fun.
Last but not least, to make it three – NETFLIX rented us to host the launch of a TV series Motel Makeover, and their team brought in classic cars to fill the first row. It was a full house and having those classic cars really brought me back to a different time when drive-ins were thriving and I could just picture a time long ago that I didn’t quite get to experience myself. It was extremely memorable and heartwarming.
Drew: Movie nights are our bread and butter, but we’ve also had the opportunity to host some amazing music events. The biggest and best being the Golden Hour festivals we had in 2020 and 2021. As it was mid-Covid, most venues were shut down and bands weren’t really touring. Everyone was looking to get outside in a safe and enjoyable manner and that was a solution we were able to provide. We had some great acts, from The Sadies and The Stars, to William Prince grace the stage and put on amazing shows for a packed lot of fans.

How did you get into the film exhibition business?
Completely by accident. We came for a movie and within 24 hrs we had a handshake deal with the previous owners. No experience necessary. We made the deal in 2019 and the keys were passed over to us in April of 2020 during the height of the Covid pandemic. We had no idea what we were doing but we approached the whole experience with the same optimism we’ve approached any new project with and SURPRISE, it was a hit. That’s how we got into the film exhibition business, completely by accident.

Why are you deciding to sell the Mustang Drive-In?
We love taking things that are broken and fixing them. While at a movie we sent a message to the old owners to see if they needed help with the drive-in website or anything and they let us know they were hoping to sell. We then just asked if they would consider selling their drive-in to us.
We spent the last 3 of the last 5 seasons rebuilding and modernizing the drive-in and creating a business that is robust over time. Something with stronger legs. This way it’s set it and forget it when someone else comes in and then they can add their own layers of improvement or alternative revenue streams. We have family and other projects we want to spend time with and on. So, we figured we’d get the ball rolling sooner rather than later as it could take years to find the right people to take on a legacy business.
You can learn more about the listing by checking it out HERE.

What do you hope for the future of the Mustang Drive-In?
We hope the next owners see the value in how this business brings together all walks of life. It’s an affordable and approachable family experience and I hope the next owner(s) see the value of the business as part of the community.
We are zoned Commercial Highway, which is highly attractive for developers and development, so the right person(s) could use that to their advantage to build out another revenue stream (um…hello, cute nostalgia MOTEL!) that can further elevate the drive-in and establish alternative revenue streams.

What is the history of the Mustang Drive-In?
The Mustang Drive-In name is used by a few drive-in theatres across Ontario (Guelph, London, etc.), but there is no longer a formal franchise. The history of the Mustang franchise is spotty at best, but it is believed to have deteriorated in the 80s.
The name “Mustang Drive-In” has become somewhat iconic, often associated with a retro, nostalgic outdoor cinema experience. Each drive-in operates independently, reflecting a shared part of Ontario’s history with drive-in theatres. More on the Mustang history at the bottom of this blog.
In recent years, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-ins across North America, including Bloomfield’s Mustang Drive-In, experienced a resurgence as people sought safe outdoor activities.The Mustang Drive-In PEC hosted Music Festivals, banquets, celebrations of life, successful Sunday Markets and even weddings!
Fast forward to today, The Mustang Drive-In PEC is a thriving nostalgic entertainment space for families in the heart of Prince Edward County and the owners have opted to sell the drive-in in the hopes of finding a new legacy owner to take the business to the next level. CLICK HERE For more information.

A quick general history of the Mustang Drive-Ins in Ontario:
The “Mustang Drive-In” theatres date back to the peak of drive-in cinema culture, which thrived in North America during the 1950s and 60s. As automobiles became more accessible and families sought novel forms of entertainment, drive-ins became popular for their convenience, combining film with a family-friendly or date-night environment.
In Ontario, several Mustang Drive-Ins were established, primarily in small towns or suburban areas, where large tracts of land were available for these outdoor cinemas. They flourished during the golden age of drive-ins but faced a steady decline as indoor multiplex theaters and changing technology (VHS, DVD, and later streaming services) began to dominate the film industry. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, many drive-ins closed down, but a few survived thanks to their nostalgic appeal, outdoor nature, and community support.
The History of the Mustang Drive-In PEC, (Bloomfield, Ontario)
The Mustang Drive-In PEC is located in Bloomfield (Prince Edward County), Ontario, and has a long-standing history that reflects the regional love for outdoor theatres. Here are a few key highlights of its journey:
- Opening: The Mustang Drive-In PEC was originally opened in the 1950s or 60s, part of the boom in drive-in theatres across Canada. It was an immediate hit in the local rural community, offering an evening entertainment option for residents and tourists alike.
- Community Roots: The Mustang Drive-In PEC became a local landmark, serving families, young couples, and friends looking for a nostalgic night out. The rural setting, combined with the picturesque backdrop of Prince Edward County, added to its charm.
- Decline and Survival: Like many drive-ins, it faced challenges during the 80s and 90s as the film industry and audience habits changed. However, its location in a tourist-friendly area like Prince Edward County, which has seen a resurgence in popularity, helped the Mustang Drive-In PEC survive over the years where others closed.
- Modern Era and Revival: The Mustang Drive-In PEC has benefited from a resurgence in outdoor entertainment, driven in part by nostalgia and the rise of tourism in Prince Edward County, known for its wineries, beaches, and boutique shops. The drive-in continues to operate as a seasonal business, offering double features and classic drive-in concessions.
It’s a community treasure, reflecting the broader revival of drive-ins that cater to a mix of retro moviegoers and new generations discovering the joy of watching films under the stars.