Forget about groundhogs and shadows, a sign of spring just opened its doors and turned on their neon lights.
Stratford-staple Erie Drive-In opened for its spring season. Each year they are open until Thanksgiving.
Cathy Bayer is the owner, alongside husband Mike Bayer. From a small office tucked away in the back of the drive-in, she talked about the Stratford institution and how they came to own it.
“I came here when I was little,” Bayer said. “I brought my kids when they were little … It is an honour to actually have a piece of Stratford.”
The Bayers have owned the drive-in for eight years now, though it has been open for over 50. After purchasing the restaurant they attempted to gather some historical information. The Stratford-Perth Archives didn’t have records going too far back, though Bayer said that over the years regulars have filled in some of the gaps, telling stories of when they used to come as kids themselves.
Known for their footlong hotdogs, chili dogs, battered mushrooms, and their "lumberjack" burger, the Erie Drive-In serves classic takeout and ice cream.
This year they announced their opening on Facebook. Bayer said that according to her husband, who handles social media, it was the biggest reaction they’ve gotten yet. At the time of publication the post has over 400 likes, 187 shares, and a number of enthusiastic comments.
As most restaurants and stores transition and ease COVID-restrictions, Bayer said that due to the drive-in nature of the restaurant the pandemic did not hit them as hard as others. They were able to stay open and retain their staff. The biggest hurdle was making sure their employees were safe and healthy as they work.
Right now, Bayer is hoping that she and her staff have fun and a great season – which they are on track to do. In the first hour of opening they had a line up of four cars already waiting.
As she and other patrons on Facebook are saying, Erie’s re-opening is a sign of good things to come.
“Spring is just around the corner if Erie’s open,” Bayer laughed.
