Back in the olden times, when our kids were young, we used to go to our neighbourhood video store on Friday nights.
It was one of those places that was run entirely by cool kids (i.e. they both worked at and owned it).
The kids concerned were also snark free, which was a bonus, because it meant they always had great suggestions.
And that was important because it meant we didn't have to invoke the chain store rule, which was:
It was one of those places that was run entirely by cool kids (i.e. they both worked at and owned it).
The kids concerned were also snark free, which was a bonus, because it meant they always had great suggestions.
And that was important because it meant we didn't have to invoke the chain store rule, which was:
"Never go to the video store without a plan."
Anyway, the very last chain video store on earth, a Blockbuster, is alive and (apparently) well, smack dab in the middle of Oregon.
And over the weekend I read a capsule review by Glenn Kenney of a documentary that has been made about the place in my dead-tree version of the New York Times.
I have no idea if the doc itself is any good, but I sure liked the review's kicker:
And over the weekend I read a capsule review by Glenn Kenney of a documentary that has been made about the place in my dead-tree version of the New York Times.
I have no idea if the doc itself is any good, but I sure liked the review's kicker:
"...Luckily (the store's) proprietor is the warm and ingratiating Sandi Harding, who reckons that by now she has given a job to almost every teenager in Bend, Oregon, where the store operates..."
Hmmmm...
How come I suddenly have a hankering to head over to Black Dog?
Although, I'm not entirely sure we have a device that can actually play a DVD in the house.
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Our old-timey video store adventures, circa 2005, were described in a wee bit more detail...here.
The sub-header is not meant to be derisive...My former editor came up with the transmogrification of the old HST saw back in the days when we used to drive up and down the I-5 looking for minor league baseball parks and/or places to hit fungos by the side of the road...And the thing about Oregon is that it is two very different states, divided in half both culturally and geographically by that north-south ribbon of Interstate.
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5 comments:
I think we still have a video store in town, but not enough to make me want to go there, sadly. There was a place across town that was peopled with hipster teens who knew far too much about cinema, but the kicker was the owner, an Iranian Ba'hai who could always find you just the right film, who knew and stocked a ton a international classic stuff such that you could wander in with no better plan than "I'll ask the proprietor" and be happy with the outcome. Better than streaming services, far more personable, and the price was never much of an issue. Besides, Erica makes the best popcorn anyway!
Danneau--
It really is incredible how much of a difference one person can make in any endeavour.
We had a similar tradition every Friday night. We referred to it as "pizza night" because we would usually order in--usually pizza but sometimes other more exotic delivery type foods. My husband and son still occasionally go to Black Dog Video which is close to our house. Our poodle likes to accompany them because she gets a treat or two from whoever is working that day.
EG--
Forgot about the canine treats at Black Dog!
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Yes to Black Dog and now Video Cat. The owner of the Dogs has let go the westernmost outlet to longtime employee RJ. It’s now called Video Cat and is pretty much the same as they still share titles between the two stores. I’m a regular at the now Cat since way back as when I was younger they were the one store that didn’t require a credit card for membership. As the original owner Darren said” Whadda ya gonna do? Steal a movie?”
While there is lots to stream these days I find I really appreciate the selection at the store as they have so much that is Not on stream.
I remember when video night with some friends meant you had to rent the video machine too. It came in the little suitcase and you’d rent a couple movies that were actually on video tape. As I recall it wasn’t cheap either. Maybe somethings do cost less now.
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