Would a rental video store work in 2023?

I would go, kids could get games too. It's fun.

 

Yes. I like browsing around bookstores too, so bring one of those back while you're at it.

Vulcan Video in Austin was awesome.

 

Serve alcohol and market it as retro and it will work.

 

Good idea, or at least sell it to go. Wine, frozen chocolate covered bananas, Sandy Bullock movies, place would be packed with lonely middle aged women on the weekends.

 

If records.....excuse me...vinyl can make a comeback, why can't VHS?

Anything can be marketed to indie hipsters as long as it involves craft beer.

 

as long as it's helicopter-accessible, sure, why not

 

Real talk.

 

Zoomers are all about 80s-90s nostalgia. My 17yo wanted a tape player for Xmas.

I think the better business model would be to charge a $20-30 membership fee with a cc on file. Give away a cheapo blu-ray player that also plays regular DVDs and a HDMI cable. Then the first four rentals are free. $5 two-day movie & game rentals. Make money on concessions and merchandise. Set up a membership club with points and discounts.

 

I try not to leave the house.

 

Online.

 

I could see scenarios where I would say YEAH I WOULD GO! Like getting 4K UHD Dolby Atmos LOSELESS discs to enjoy movies like OPPENHEIMER in true glory. Or trying different video games. But in REALITY, if it existed, I would NEVER go. Let's be honest.

 

We have one near me, only it's a non-profit and they're dedicated to "preserving the movie experience through education, community partners, and rentals of over 40,000 titles"

TBH, I've never been into it, but it sounds cool.

https://visartvideo.org

EDIT: Their original location was in a more "historic" neighborhood that could support them (was a dumpy plaza tho). I'm pretty sure some faceless holding company bought the plaza though and raised their rent. They got moved down the road like a several other small, mom & pop businesses into a less than ideal location, IMHO. But they're still around...

 

tribute

 

If they're renting reel-to-reels, I'll be there wearing my best scarf.

 

It would have to be something like a limited time viewing on a flash disk where you can insert it into the TV, watch at higher streaming rates, but then the data would destroy itself over time.

You buy the special disk as part of your membership and check it out in the store or at a kiosk.

Even then I would rather stream.

 

folks would pay extra for good customer service