TETON VALLEY, Idaho — The beloved Spud Drive-In Theater, which sits between Victor and Driggs, has sold to a new owner.
MD Nursery and Landscaping has purchased the land and will continue to operate it as a drive-in movie theater, MD’s CFO Arno Kruisman confirmed to Buckrail. The two businesses are neighbors in the Valley.
Kruisman expressed excitement about the project, and said he hopes to get it up and running as quickly as possible. He suggested that updates to the facilities will maintain the character of the original Spud with some modern twists, including potential updates to the onsite lodging.
In addition to movie screenings, Kruisman expects to host concerts and other events.
The deal was struck on Tuesday, Aug. 15, with MD acquiring the Spud from owner Lenny Zaban. In April of 2022, the Spud’s screen was knocked down by winds exceeding 50 mph, and the theater hasn’t been operational since.
The Spud originally opened in 1953. The massive potato sitting on a retro truck out front was a favorite photo op for visitors. It was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2003.
