Jim
Lipuma's first job while still in high school was working at the
Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In Theatre in North Versailles, PA in 1982.
By 1985 he became a projectionist at the theatre. Additionally, he
managed and operated the South Hills Drive-In Theatre in Pleasant
Hills, PA. Both the Greater Pittsburgh and the South Hills were owned
by the Warren family for whom Lipuma worked from 1982 until 1994.
Along the way, he wore many hats outside of the theatre business, all
of which helped him to build a strong business foundation. He was
assistant-manager for a Radio Shack store. He was a warehouse manager
at Triangle Electronics Co. In Pittsburgh, PA for 7 years. He owned
and operated two businesses, L&M Lawn Service and L&S Fundraising
Company prior to selling them. Additionally, the community minded
Lipuma has also served as a volunteer fireman for the last 11 years
and a licensed EMT for 6 years. He did all of those things while
working at the Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In!
Soon, Lipuma wanted to own his own drive-in. In 1994 he re-opened a
long closed drive-in in Vandergrift, PA. The Galaxy Drive-In took a
lot of work to get up and running again, but he made it look easy. In
1996 he re-opened a second drive-in, the Moonlite Drive-In Theatre in
Brookville, PA.
As owner and operator of The Moonlite Drive-In, Lipuma has
been the subject of many nationwide newspaper articles and served as
the first President of The United Drive-In Theater Owners
Association. He is an inspiration to all who are considering
re-opening a long-closed drive-in.
In 2022 Jim added a second screen to The Moonlite.
Written
by Randy and Debreen Loy
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