Film fans browse DVDs at local video rental store Invisible Cinema.
With Blockbuster closing its doors and the future of a flagging industry in question, independent video stores will launch the first international Video Store Day this Saturday.
Daniel Hanna, owner of Toronto’s Eyesore Cinema, says he was inspired by a neighbouring record store, which celebrates Record Store Day every year. “I thought, why should record stores have all the fun?” says Hanna.
Hanna says he’s spent three years building support for the event, which is aimed at promoting independent video stores.
About 500 shops across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. are involved.
Hanna says his store will have a corn roast and a huge sale.
“It’s our first year, so we’re really getting our legs. If all goes well, next year it’ll be twice as big.”
Nick Shaw, owner of Invisible Cinema on Lisgar Street, says he will offer discounts, deals, and prizes on Oct. 15.
Popular Centretown store Elgin Street Video Station hasn’t confirmed whether it will participate.
The promotion of independent video stores debuts as the Blockbuster Canada chain recently closed its last several hundred stores, including Centretown’s Bank Street location.
Is the end of Blockbuster affecting independent stores in Ottawa?
“Yes and no,” says Shaw. He says Blockbuster’s business model is different from most independent stores.
“They (had) a focus on new releases,” he says, whereas he is more selective, choosing movies that “don’t have such quick ‘due dates.’ ”
Shaw says his store continues to exist because it’s part of the Ottawa community, fostering relationships with regular customers and supporting local art shows. It’s “a community resource and club house,” he says.
“Blockbuster’s not even on my radar,” says Hanna. “Stores like this and the other stores involved in Video Store Day, we’re here because we love movies. We’re not here just to make as much money as we can then file for bankruptcy.”
Another industry threat is that movies can be found just about anywhere, even at drug stores. “Every type of store tries to sell some videos,” says Shaw. “It’s not an exclusive product anymore.”
Zip.ca kiosks – basically video vending machines – are now in many Metro grocery stores.
People can rent movies from the kiosks and return them to any other Zip.ca dispenser. Chairman Rob Hall says pilot projects in Ottawa led to the decision to roll out kiosks across the country.
“Blockbuster and other bricks-and-mortar stores closing their doors creates an opportunity for us,” says Hall. “We’ve introduced kiosks into places where you need to go anyway, like the grocery store. ”
Netflix, which industry experts say puts the video retail industry in danger, is another company making a priority of convenience. An $8 monthly subscription and an online library means consumers don’t have to leave their house to access a movie.
What could be the biggest threat to the video industry is how easily people can download pirated films online.
“The big issue is non-legal methods of acquiring films,” says Shaw. He says despite that, local walk-in video stores still have the widest selections available, online or offline.