Remembering the Video Store

Back in the late 20th century, there were no streaming services. If someone had a specific taste in film they would have to physically go to a store and rent something called a VHS. There were video rental stores across the city and everyone had their favorites. While national chains such as Blockbuster dominated total revenue, here in our neighborhoods a few independent stores and local chains characteristically stood out for their quirkily curated and left-of-center collections, and are still remembered with fondness:

World of Video

Located at 51 Greenwich Avenue, World of Video successfully rented videos for thirty years before closing on April 28, 2012. Its tight-knit staff knew exactly what to recommend to their regular clientele. Click here to read more about World of Video and community efforts to save it.

Kim’s Video

Started in 1987 when Youngman Kim started renting videos out of his dry cleaning business on Avenue A, Kim’s Video would grow into a local chain with six Manhattan locations. Kim’s Video would become legendary for its wide selection of classic, independent, often obscure films, in addition to mainstream movies and the “adult” selections that most video shops presented in a flimsily curtained off section of the store. Click here to read more about Kim’s Video.

Two Boots Video

Many are familiar with Two Boots Pizza, fewer recall that in 1996, almost a decade after opening in the East Village, it also rented videos. In 2014 Two Books ceased its rental service to focus on food, and several are still in operation.

Tower Video

California-based chain Tower Records had a number of stores in NYC. Its annex, on Lafayette and East 4th Street, was also the location of Tower Video. Tower Video was one of the largest if not the largest downtown video store, which had the most copies of newer and more popular releases.

HRO Video

This small video store was not located in the Village but in a historic building at 509 Grand Street. It is documented in our Historic Image Archive’s Susan De Vries — Federal Rowhouses in Lower Manhattan and Architecture Collection Part II. See the full collection here.

These shops were all beloved small businesses before the wheels of progress ground them into oblivion. Is there a current business you would like to see honored? Fill out our Business of the Month form here.