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Lauderdale Visitor and Tourism Theaters Fort Lauderdale |
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Fort
Lauderdale
Theaters
Swap
Shop Drive-In
3291 West Sunrise Boulevard
(954) 583-7733
The SWAP SHOP, founded by Preston and
Betty Henn in 1963, was originally opened
as a drive-in theater and was called
the Thunderbird Drive-In. In 1966, Mr.
Henn began utilizing the property as
a weekend flea market. This was an innovation
which Preston had first seen in California.
However, it was the first time the concept
had been tried on the East Coast.
In 1979 the building was opened to create
an open air food court with vender booths
around the perimeter. At that time the
flea market began operating Wednesdays
through Sundays.
In December of 1988 the building was
enclosed, air conditioned and the stage
was built. Small local bands performed
at no charge to the public, thus the
first free concerts were held. At that
time the SWAP SHOP began operating seven
days a week.
In 1989 the Hanneford Family Circus
began performing everyday with several
shows a day to the delight of children
and grownups alike!
In early 1990 the first major act, Ronnie
Milsap, performed live at the SWAP SHOP'S
Entertainment Complex. Free admission,
free concerts and circus shows, cheerful
staff, and unique advertising and promotional
programs all contribute to the phenomenal
success of the SWAP SHOP. It is no wonder
that today the SWAP SHOP is the second
largest South Florida attraction with
visitors from not only the United States
and Canada but many foreign countries
as well! It's not a surprise that in
1990 alone more than 12 million people
visited the now "World Famous"
SWAP SHOP. |
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