Owner Erika Madden will close the East Taunton Star Drive-In in March 2026 at the end of her lease. The property was purchased by the same entity that previously built a self-storage facility across the street around the time Madden signed a five-year lease. Madden reports limited assistance from city departments despite repeated pleas. Taunton provided grant funding and more than $60,000 in city-funded improvements but faces legal and fiscal limits in aiding privately owned businesses. The Star experienced its best summer season, hosted many community events, and has been owned by Madden since 2016. Madden intends to continue providing community service, charity, and fresh food until closure.
Around the same time that Madden signed the five-year lease, the entity that had previously purchased the property across the street and built a self-storage facility also purchased the Star Drive-In property, according to the post. Though she did not want to "get into the specifics of those issues," Madden wrote that many people within the city government and several other departments "have not offered any help or assistance even after my repeated pleas for help."
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O'Connell told The Taunton Daily Gazette that city officials have "worked tirelessly to support the Star Drive-In, assisting in securing grant funding and providing more than $60,000 in improvements at no cost to the owner or operator." However, she said there are "legal and fiscal limits on what we can do for a privately-owned business." Despite the sad news, Madden added that The Star Drive-In had its "Best Summer Season" on record this year.
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