Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sandy Eckard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sandy , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

Well, when I started helping at the Mahoning Drive-In, I was a volunteer during the pandemic. They were admirably attempting to open as a service, but customers would have to be served in a whole new way, such as not being allowed inside the building. The business offered, in the beginning, two items: a t-shirt and a hoodie as souvenirs, and they augmented the profit of the business. So, the big question was “How can we sell these to our guests if we can’t have the usual table indoors?”

The answer was to move a table outside the doors where customers would order food (standing outside). However, everyone who worked there had a job to do, so they asked me to help out and just watch the table and take cash. That was so successful by the second night, we were doing cash (I still have the old VHS box I used for money!) as well as Square on an iPad. I had originally only thought to volunteer a few nights here and there, but the merch was so popular–people were really excited to get out and enjoy some experiences safely during the pandemic–and they insisted I join the staff. Ha. I had no idea where it would go from there!

After a few weekends, I got on to placements–really doing something besides laying out merch on a table. I used hangers, I made labels, and I started shifting items around to showcase raffle items as well as some bumper stickers. Then, my supplier, the amazing Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations, sent koozies with our logo! That was the turning point–we could make other items, too! That got me started on creating new and exciting items. I knew it would succeed because I had regular customers who came to buy raffle tickets and peruse the table each time they attended. Mahoning March, then, had become part of the whole “drive-in night” experience at the Mahoning. I then got another one of my vendors, Spiral Rewind, involved, and we starting testing out items. Chris Severn was great with giving me options and letting me know what he believed from his vast experiences, would sell. I was happy to take all the advice that LVAC and Spiral Rewind could give me.

All this success was exciting, and it was addictive. :) It made me think of new items, new ideas to tie into the films. By the next year, I decided to have a color theme. That way, people who bought all my goodies last year–like a coffee cup or a koozie–could buy another one in a new color! It was a success, and each year, I’ve created a thread of a color theme for all our “regular table items.” It’s been fun and allowed me to test out fun items like sunglasses, keychains, different types of hoodies, and beanies. I’ve added on each year, so we always have a full collection–and it all started with a t-shirt!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

First, The Mahoning Drive-In Theater is located in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. It’s in the middle of a big field, sandwiched between farms, so you really get nighttime when it’s dark. Stars, trees, and nature really are all around. It is nestled in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, and it’s been open since 1949.

What makes the Mahoning different is multi-faceted. First, it is one of the only drive-ins in the country that still projects 35mm film. We have trained projectionists who inspect, splice, and run film on our original projectors. In addition, we have a pre-show on the radio station with a revolving list of DJs who spin music and chat about the films. We also have celebrity guests, a full concession stand for food and snacks, and, of course, our Mahoning Merch.

We have branched out with a web store, Merch Bin online orders, a Patreon option, and Mahoning Radio, so our customers can experience the drive-in with podcasts, updates, and exclusive items year-round.

Have you ever had to pivot?

While it’s been wonderful being a part of the drive-in, there came a time when having a full-time job–I am a professor at East Stroudsburg University–clashed with working until 3 in the morning. Ha. I needed help.

So, I added some employees to the Merch staff, and it was great to have help, especially during the pandemic when we were super busy every day. Plus, as we were outside, we needed to lug bins and set up/tear down every time. However, in addition to learning how to train employees, the following year, when we were out of the strict pandemic rules, I moved Mahoning Merch inside so that I could have a more permanent and aesthetically pleasing set-up. However, with set-up needs, and the ebbs and flows of business, I also had to pivot to learn how to make a schedule and better anticipate how many staff members–or new merch items–we would need each week.

My goal was to create a flexible schedule with one person on and one person extra for busy nights. I learned to review the films and think ahead; I also now create a schedule a month in advance, then tweak it as we see ticket sales. It’s more time consuming than it sounds, but it helps us use staff effectively, continue to make profit, and avoid burn-out for all the employees, including me.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I put my heart into the merch each week, especially the creative items for specific shows. It takes me time and energy to think of these items, then work with my vendors–Spiral Rewind, LVAC, Matt Parton from Partoonz, and Victoria from @HackthePlanet717, Each of these creatives are super at what they do, and I couldn’t organize without their work and creativity.

But our customers–and even some of our staff–like to have opinions. I think that the lesson that I had to learn is to not take it personally. Everyone wants to suggest an item! People can love or hate my items or even my color theme. But my profits don’t lie; and I do love feedback. I’ve had great ideas from Mahoning staff and customers that have become reality. But it’s hard when I hear side conversations or get people telling me what would “make the design better” or that “I really would like the color —-.” So I have had to learn to trust my instinct, take feedback and adjust when needed, and let the gossip or comments not hurt my feelings. That is a lesson I am still working on!

Contact Info:

• Website: mahoningdit.com
• Instagram: mahoningdriveintheater (Mahoning); dr.sandy.e (me)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mahoningdriveintheater
• Twitter: @MahoningDIT; @s_eckard