It’s not over yet, Netflix.

As Business North reports, the West Duluth Video Vision closes April 17. As the banners at Hollywood Video report, that store will be closing soon as well.

Other West Duluth video stores that came and went over the years include Mr. Movies, All Star Video and Late Night Video. The Redbox outside Super One and scattered convenience stores are the only movie rental choices in West Duluth now.

UPDATE: Video Vision owner Brian Augustine has changed his mind and will open a new location in the Spirit Valley Shopping Center.

31 Comments

Danny G

about 14 years ago

Really, not a shock. I've been enjoying a ton of streaming movies via the Wii Netflix thingy for the past week. I really don't know why anyone would even go into a video store anymore.

michellep

about 14 years ago

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?

Mark

about 14 years ago

I feel like you might go into a video store on the off chance that you may have the opportunity to interact with another human being.

edgeways

about 14 years ago

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.

starfire

about 14 years ago

The iPhone app for the Redbox is pretty sweet. Browse the selections from your chosen box, reserve, pay and then pick up when convenient. You can do this on a computer as well but it is extra fun from your phone.

Jeff

about 14 years ago

It's even better on the iPad!

Danny

about 14 years ago

Once Steve left (or sold off) 8th St Video it was all down-hill.

Melissa

about 14 years ago

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.

Friendly Old Knifey

about 14 years ago

I'm a Mr. Movies guy, through and through. I mention that pretty much every time I go there, as well. The Super Saver pass is amazing.

Barrett Chase

about 14 years ago

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.

Barrett Chase

about 14 years ago

I see from the story that Liberty Liquor will become Super One Liquor. I wonder what they'll do with that sweet statue on the roof?

Jake Olson

about 14 years ago

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.

Jenny

about 14 years ago

Well, yeah... all of that plus bit torrent/rapidshare/etc.

Even the business of mailing discs back and forth is rapidly looking obsolete, and I'd imagine Charter and official studio sites on the internet will offer a way to watch any movie at home any time within the next 5 years. Sure would be a nice use for Google Fiber!

dbrewing

about 14 years ago

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.

wildgoose

about 14 years ago

Luuunnndddgrrrrennn! Argh!

Alas,this is great. So great that I was going to use it for a post on this new online column thing I'm doing somewhere.  Then again, I saw the sign a week ago and  I was gonna do it then but I procrastinated ... 

Maybe I'll still write it. Maybe not. I hate looking like a copycat, but I am also glad to note that I am not the only one who noticed where the cost and convenience of redbox, netflix and less savory illegal downloads are taking us.     

But I think beyond the economics, the core of my point was going to be about what Mark and Edgeways said, losing the human interaction thing.  For me, the video store has long been a sort of hitchin' post, not unlike PDD where you stop share ideas, connect and interact a bit.  And ...  That's all I'm going to say now, lest I scoop myself.    Darn you Lundgren.  You are too smart, insightful and quick for my own good!

Rubber Chicken

about 14 years ago

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.

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago

Thanks for the info, Rubber Chicken. I've heard there are now signs in the windows at Video Vision announcing a new location. I interviewed the owner on Wednesday and there was no plan for a new location at that time, but apparently things have changed.

David

about 14 years ago

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.

Mary

about 14 years ago

I use Netflix, but I also like going to brick-and-mortar rental places and just wandering around, seeing what catches my eye.  The two rental places here in Ashland run some cheap deals throughout the week and keep pretty admirable selections in stock--and what I can't find there, I can find at the library, or on Netflix.  It's nice having options, and it would suck if all the rental places went the way of the dodo.

bully

about 14 years ago

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

David

about 14 years ago

I'd like to see some more specialty stores with rental/resale strategies:  not just the random selection at the used CD shop in Burning Tree or Electric Fetus, but maybe something more focused at Collector's Connection and Dragonport.

Tom Maloney

about 14 years ago

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.

Conrad

about 14 years ago

I tried supporting Video Vision when I lived in Superior but I am horrible at remembering to return movies.  I stream Netflix off of my x-box and Wii and could not be happier.   We don't have cable, and now we really don't need cable since there is always something.

I like supporting local but just didn't have the money to pay off $30 late fees. At least the farmers market is open soon.

mevdev

about 14 years ago

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.

vicarious

about 14 years ago

I still remember the Christmas Day in the 1980s when my sisters and I unwrapped our first VCR: it was as big as a suitcase and weighed about 20 pounds. Also, the "remote control" had a 12-foot cord to the VCR, making it a semi-remote control. The first VHS movie we rented was Tootsie.

jenn

about 14 years ago

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

David

about 14 years ago

Tom Maloney, you are now the coolest guy on PDD.

Paul Lundgren

about 14 years ago

The new Video Vision location will be in the Spirit Valley Shopping Center in the spot formerly occupied by Radio Shack.

jessige

about 14 years ago

There's a certain irony to a video rental place taking over for Radio Shack ... almost obsolete replaces totally obsolete?

Although, once they stopped asking for your address, I suppose Radio Shack entered the 21st century.

TimK

about 14 years ago

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.

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