Spud sold
November 25, 2009
By Hope Strong

New owners will maintain classic theater

LEFT: The iconic Spud Drive-In has been sold to a part-time valley resident, and the new owner said he plans to continue running the drive-in. CITIZEN PHOTO / BRADLY J. BONER

When you take possession of a classic car, the last thing you want to do is start making modifications. This is the philosophy of Lenny Zaban, the new owner of the Spud Drive-In theater located south of Driggs.

“You can’t recreate a 1950’s drive-in movie theater,” Zaban said on Wednesday morning, the day the Spud changed hands. “It has a personality all its own. I think we’d like to keep that.”

Zaban and his family have owned a property in Teton Springs for 10 years, spending more and more time in the valley each year. After attending the Dark Star Orchestra this summer, Zaban inquired about buying the Spud from the Wood family, and the ink is now barely dry on the deal through All Season Reality.

Residing in the Chicago area, Zaban tries to spend at least half the summer in the valley. He plans to bring more movies and greater variety to the beloved drive-in that will likely go digital in the near future...and the snack shack will stay intact for those addicted to Spud burgers and milkshakes.