We have Netflix, but who doesn't love walking the dog to 8th Street Video (on 9th Street) on a nice sunny day and strolling home with a movie and mint-chip cone?

When we lived nearby 8th Street was the only video store I've actually liked, everything else was pretty cattle chute-y. Now that we live so far from it Netflix is the way to go. 

I understand the sentiment behind thinking going to a video store is better because of human interaction, but outside of 8th street the interactions where pretty minimal and not what I'd call worthwhile. 3.95, sign here due on Tuesday.

It's even better on the iPad!

Don't forget that Mr Movies on Superior St has 99 cent movies on Mondays.  New releases, everything.  And most you can keep for 5 days.  

My movie viewing is a balance of 2 a month Netflixs, Mr. Movies 99 cent Monday, and the Duluth Public Library's 2nd floor documentary DVD section.

Late Night Video (which got its name because it was open until 11pm!) eventually became Mr. Movies. I can't remember if it became Mr. Movies when Hollywood moved in, or if Mr. Movies closed when Hollywood moved in. All I know is that that business was greatly affected by the addition of a corporate video store in West Duluth.

In the early 1980s, West Duluth saw a huge influx of mom-and-pop video stores. Late Night, All Star, and Video Vision were the only successful ones. There were a few others. One was located where 101 Deals now is. Another was in a small space on Grand Avenue and specialized in Betamax. 

In the late1990s/early 2000s, some guy tried to open a video store beneath I-35 in the building where Stretar Masonry and all of that is (behind the library/senior center, near the back of the Valley Center). He had his wares displayed on rough homemade shelves, lit by a chain of blinding utility lights. He and his friend sat at table in the middle of the room smoking cigarettes and doing huge chains of scratch-off tickets. The selection was obviously his personal collection, and consisted mainly of hokey comedies from the 70s and 80s, such as All of Me and The Man with One Red Shoe. I never rented anything from there, but I dropped in a few times just for the spectacle of it.

I wonder if Super One will be taking over the embroidery portion of the liquor store as well? I always loved that I could get a personalized handkerchief at the same place I get my Boones Farm.

After three year of renting videos on a weekly basis from the West End Video Vision I was told that I could no longer do so because I had an out of state I.D..
They shortly closed up shop......

On a side note, I was once refused service in Curly's bar because I had an Indiana I.D.(from the state of Indiana). I was told that they did not accept Reservation I.D.s.

We called the West Duluth Video Vision last night to see about cashing in our stamps (Free Taco John's combo meals!) and they told us they are going to reopen in another location that is not too far from where they are now.  So they will still be around.

For those of us who actually like to own movies, Hollywood first and VV second actually made it affordable to own international and low-distribution films here in Duluth (without dropping $40 on a DVD at B&N).  Until about 6 months ago, I would make regular trips to Hollywood to buy the Asian movies, 3 for 20, and the documentaries, too.  Then, Papa Murphy's for pizza.  Finally, dinner at Zhong Hua, the best Chinese in town.

To whoever managed that Hollywood:  you did an amazing job selecting some unusual stuff for a corporate location.  I hope those skills get picked up elsewhere.

I know that our Blockbuster is on the list of stores that is supposed to close this year.

Ah, the Zhong Hua - Hollywood combo.  I agree, Dave, a fine medley.

Bottom line - movie rental shops are marching toward history.  I'm just glad Gopher Shoe Repair is still open.

I use and very much like Netflix.

Though, when I was young I went to my local mom & pop video store aptly named: Video Rentals.

They are selling everything in the store. I already bought most of the good stuff (ladder, extension cords, velvet rope, and poster stands).

Maybe I'm obsolete. I wish we had the OLD Radio Shack of my youth -- the place where you could find actual parts. Now it's mostly cell phones and talking photo frames. You can get that crap at some gas stations, for crying out loud.