If you’re looking for a fun, socially distanced activity to enjoy with your family and friends, Lowe’s in Cornelia just may have your ticket.
The home improvement store chain will transform its parking lot into a drive-in movie theater for two showings on back to back nights, August 1st and 2nd.
Registration underway
Lowe’s Night at the Movies premiered earlier this month in the company’s home base of Charlotte, North Carolina. The chain is now bringing its outdoor movie concept to Cornelia to see how it’s received in rural markets. “I hope it’s successful so maybe we can see more of them,” says Cornelia Lowe’s Manager Jeremy Gattis.
On Saturday, August 1, a professional outdoor movie company will set up a sixty-by-thirty-foot movie screen and large outdoor speakers in the local Lowe’s parking lot. There will also be a transmitter to broadcast audio to car radios. That night, beginning at 9 p.m. movie-goers can enjoy the animated feature, The Secret Life of Pets (rated PG). The following night, Sunday, August 2, at 9 p.m., Lowe’s will feature the Will Smith drama, The Pursuit of Happyness (rated PG-13).
Tickets are free but you must register ahead of time for a reserved parking space. You can register by visiting https://lowesdiy.com. Type in the Cornelia zip code “30531” and follow the prompts. Those who register will be guaranteed a spot at Lowe’s in Cornelia on movie night.
“It’s limited to 100 cars online, but we’re trying to accommodate people who pull up if they didn’t register. If there’s room to park, we’re going to park them,” Gattis says.
Once you register, you’ll receive an email confirmation that will serve as your movie ticket for that night.
All for a good cause
While the events are free to attend, participants are invited to donate online if they choose to Lowe’s Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) benefiting small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The company has committed $55 million to provide emergency grant assistance to small businesses in communities it serves. Thirty million will go to minority- and women-owned businesses and $25 million to rural businesses. The next round of grant funding opens July 27. For more information on how to apply, click here or visit Lowe’s online.
You may donate to LISC online when you register. Lowe’s will match all donations two-to-one up to $50,000.
“A lot of people think Lowe’s is a big box store that doesn’t care about the community, but that’s not the case,” says Gattis. “We have the big box atmosphere, but our people are local too.”
Lowe’s employees will not take up donations on movie night.
If there’s a lot of interest in these events, Gattis says Northeast Georgians could see more outdoor big-screen events, including possibly sports, in the future.
