For almost a decade I was lucky enough to own a Video Store in Avalon, NSW. That NEW Video Shop Avalon was a local institution where people would meet and the kids would watch the latest releases on the floor with a bowl of popcorn. At the time is was all graft, especially with the advent of Netflix, but I look back fondly and miss the simpler times when you could spend hours looking for your movie for the night.
Remember the good old days of renting videos from a physical store? The excitement of walking through the aisles, browsing the shelves, and finally selecting the perfect movie for your weekend? If you were lucky enough to experience this era of entertainment, then you know the joy that can be found in a video shop.
First of all, let's talk about the smell. That distinct aroma of plastic cases, popcorn, and the faint scent of dusty carpet. It's like an olfactory time machine that transports you back to a simpler time when streaming was just a fancy word for a steady trickle of water.
As you begin your journey through the store, you'll encounter all sorts of characters. There's the over-enthusiastic employee who's eager to recommend the latest indie flick, the couple arguing over which rom-com to rent, and the group of teenagers giggling as they sneak a peek at the horror section. And let's not forget the kids racing down the aisles, grabbing every Disney movie they can find.
But the real magic of the video store experience is the hunt for the perfect movie. It's a journey of discovery, where you're constantly surprised by the hidden gems you stumble upon. Who knew that a low-budget sci-fi movie about aliens invading a small town could be so entertaining? Or that a rom-com starring Hugh Grant and a talking parrot could be so terrible?
And let's not forget the satisfaction of finding that one movie you've been searching for for years. The joy of finally holding that VHS tape (or DVD, depending on the era) in your hands and knowing that your weekend is going to be filled with pure cinematic bliss.
Of course, the video store experience wasn't without its quirks. The frustration of finding out that the movie you wanted was already rented out, or the disappointment of realizing that the only copy of your favourite movie had been scratched beyond repair. And don't even get me started on those pesky late fees.
But despite its flaws, there was something special about walking the aisles of your favourite video shop. It was a communal experience, a place where movie lovers could gather and share their passion for film. And in a world where everything is available at the click of a button, there's a certain charm in the simplicity of renting a movie from a physical store.
So if you're feeling nostalgic, why not take a trip down memory lane and visit your old video store in this video?
