Ghosts of Video Store Past
Ghosts of Video Store Past
Before, in a time long ago, when there were no super stores. When there were no national chains promising us “no late fees” and then charging us “restocking fees” (lying bastards). When small towns were communities instead of being overnight motels for the commuting worker, there were independent small video stores.
…we have traded focused personal service for impersonal unattentive slection of the same old thing…
Stores that had character, stores where the sales clerk knew every movie in the store, and after a while of friendly small town chatter he knew you too. Many an evening of video watching was saved as I placed my choices on the counter and the man behind the counter would say, “You’re going to really hate those ones. Why don’t you try this one, it’s more your style.” He was always right too. While the selection wasn’t as extensive as the large video box store, it was more varied. If you wanted to see a particular film and they didn’t have a copy, within a week or two they got a copy for you.
We have traded focused personal service for impersonal unattentive slection of the same old thing. How is this better?
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I love this photo. The forbidding sky, the cracked pavement, the covered windows, the weeds creeping up the building … almost looks like something out of a horror movie.
Just being in the right place at the right time I guess… economic hardship provided by the free market, ambience provided by providence.