0.1 % of the population still rents movies from a brick-and-mortar movie store. Vv Magazine’s Lauren Coholan is one of those people. Here’s why…
When you were a kid, was there was nothing more exciting than going out with your parents to pick out a movie for the night? If you were lucky, your neighbourhood video store would be giving out little bags of popcorn while you browsed the new releases. This used to be my idea of a perfect Friday night. But today, with services like Netflix, Shomi, and OnDemand, leaving your house to pick out a movie is not only unnecessary but to many it is a huge inconvenience. Maybe it’s my nostalgia of a simpler time, but I have longed for the days when picking out a movie meant putting on my shoes and leaving the house.
Not long after Blockbuster went out of business, I was reminiscing over hard-copy DVDs when my roommate walked through the door holding three documentaries. She went on and on about the neighbourhood movie store that she had stumbled upon called Upstairs Video. My prayers had been answered.
Located at Yonge and Eglinton, Upstairs Video has such a vast selection of movies that I felt like I had won the lottery. There are more films in this small room than any TV subscription could offer. I immediately cancelled my Netflix account knowing that I would soon become a regular.
So why do I go out in the minus 20 degree weather to rent movies from Upstairs Video rather than simply clicking “Order” on my television screen? For one, the thought of handing over another dollar to Rogers makes me cringe. Plus, if you’re trying to stick to a budget, you can purchase a movie card for $40.00, which gives you twelve movie rentals (bringing the cost to just over $3.00 each). Now more than ever, it is so important to support your local businesses. I don’t know about you, but I could do without another Starbucks in my hood.
Secondly, Upstairs Video always offers coffee and fresh baked goods for a small price. In my opinion, watching a movie without a few delicious snacks is a sin. It’s obvious that the owners of the movie store take pride in their client’s experience. Recently, they have started creating mysteries, which lead you around the store in search of clues. This takes around 10 minutes and, once you’ve solved the puzzle, you are able to choose from a jar of prizes, including free coffee, muffins, and movies. My inner child is rejoicing!
Although I’m sure the employees who see me daily probably think that I need to get a life, there is nothing I would rather be doing on a cold winter’s night than browsing through the many different genres of film.
So this weekend when you are making plans with your girlfriends or trying to set up a date night with your partner, consider picking up some sushi, a couple of movies, and getting cozy on the couch. Human interaction people! Let’s make it happen.
When was the last time you rented a movie? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.