Photos from Diane R. Brown/Lefty’s
The Lewes restaurant and bowling alley will begin movie nights June 22, with food served car-side.
To offer more to its customers amid pandemic restrictions, Lefty’s Alley & Eats is bringing a drive-in theater to the Delaware beaches.
For Lefty’s, located at 36450 Plaza Drive, in Lewes, the drive-in means bringing back a piece of the past that enforces safe social distancing while offering a bit of nostalgia. The restaurant and bowling alley got to showcase all of their new additions during an exclusive launch event on June 18.
Lefty’s will reopen to the public on June 22.
While the idea of launching a drive-in theater crossed the team’s minds before, Lefty’s brought the idea to life in time for Delaware’s reopening, promoting safety for all who come to take a break from being in quarantine.
“Surprisingly, the impact has been tremendously positive,” says DJ Hall, co-owner of Lefty’s. “This time has given us an opportunity to focus inward and ask ourselves if we are being true to our mission, our brand, and our service culture [and] with all of this time, we were able to course correct and breathe new life into the business.”
The pandemic also allowed Lefty’s to find new ways to continue promoting their business—such as installing a new patio and menu. Other changes include a new executive chef and putting servers in roller skates for the drive-in itself. Lefty’s also provided assistance for their fellow team members and communities during the stay-at-home order, such as giving away one hundred free pizzas to the surrounding community, first-responders and fellow neighboring establishments throughout the transition.
“It was personally scary and very difficult at first to handle how in one fell swoop our entire worlds changed,” says Anita Broccolino, director of sales at Lefty’s. “However, in true maverick fashion, our owner [Hall] and general manager [Gary Foley] had the idea to see what adjustments and improvements we can make, providing an opportunity we never could have expected.”
While there is still uncertainty that continues to face the team and other businesses in Phase 2 and beyond, there is still hope for the future.
“It’s also given us the opportunity to get creative and adapt to the emerging environment and new consumer trends that are coming out of this situation,” Hall says. “All of this time has afforded us the opportunity to express our creative side and engage our entire team in the process.”
“The fun part is that it serves the community in a unique and new way for some, while definitely a nostalgic way for many others. Plus, it introduces a whole new generation to movies as they may have never seen them before,” Broccolino adds. “A great movie on the big screen, sitting in your own car, having food & drinks rolled right up to your window—that alone can help make our spirits soar at a time we need some joyful distractions.”
Lefty’s Alley & Eats, 36450 Plaza Drive, Lewes, 864-6000, iloveleftys.com
