Video store bucks digital trend

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This article was published 07/05/2019 (1786 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the days of Netflix, digital downloads and streaming services the video rental business is still surviving, thanks one business owner says to the new customers that keep the doors open.

Colleen Legary and her husband have owned Video Max in Steinbach since 1993 when VHS tapes were the way most people watched movies at home, and the video rental business was booming.

Legary said she remembers weekend nights back in the 1990s when the store would be packed with customers looking to rent movies and spend their evenings at home.

DAVE BAXTER | THE CARILLON
Video Max owner Colleen Legary is seen near a wall of movies available to rent at the Steinbach-based business. She said despite the rise in streaming services and digital downloading her video rental business is still surviving and still paying the bills.
DAVE BAXTER | THE CARILLON Video Max owner Colleen Legary is seen near a wall of movies available to rent at the Steinbach-based business. She said despite the rise in streaming services and digital downloading her video rental business is still surviving and still paying the bills.

“It could get pretty crazy back then, it was a very busy place,” Legary said. “It has changed for sure, it’s not quite like that anymore. There is definitely is a difference.”

With the rise of streaming services and digital downloading since the mid-2000s the business has seen a drop-off in the amount of people coming to rent movies, but is still seeing enough customers coming through the doors to pay the bills and stay open.

“This is our main source of income and I don’t think a lot of businesses that primarily rent movies can say that anymore,” she said with a laugh. “It still pays the bills.”

According to Legary, it has been a loyal customer base that has kept the business running, but also residents who live in rural areas that surround Steinbach and may not have the Internet services needed for streaming or downloading.

“I don’t live right in town and I know the Internet can be spotty,” she said. “It just doesn’t always work, and I’m sure people can get annoyed if they are planning to watch a movie and it’s not working for them.”

She has also talked to customers who tell her they still prefer to hold the DVD and movie packaging in their hand, rather than download something off the Internet.

“If you are buying something online it’s not tangible,” Legary said. “You can’t look at the cover and see the notes or pictures, and some people really like that as part of the whole experience.”

Recently, nostalgia has also been bringing customers back to Video Max, she added.

“For some, I notice they are coming back after not coming for years and saying, ‘I used to come here when I was kid.’”

Zoe Clark is one regular customer of Video Max and she said although she could easily get movies without leaving the comfort of her home, she prefers to actually go out and pick the movie or movies she is going to watch.

“You get the whole experience, choosing a movie, getting snacks and you often see movies you had wanted to see and had forgotten, so you can pick those up too,” Clark said.

The 45-year-old Steinbach resident added it is the “friendly staff” and her love for supporting local businesses that keep her coming back.

“Given the choice of ordering online or having a personal, social experience, I would prefer to have that experience and support my local community every time.”

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