Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Bridgeport Video
Where was the store located?
Bridgeport, Pennsylvania (United States)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1986
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
Outside it was a simple brick building with a large glass multi-sectioned window -- though which the place was robbed at least once. Inside, it was a pretty cramped small space. In fact they didn't have enough space for all of their videos -- there was a pretty high turn over in which low sellers made their way out quickly. The sections were as follows (from the door) Art House; Semi-new, which I swear were never updated; New; Glen's, the co-owner, picks, Action. On the back and side wall was Family and in the backroom were Horror and Sci-fi.
What were the employees and/or owners like, and what kinds of interactions
did you have with them? What particularly memorable exchanges or events
do you remember?
There were only two owners, Glen and his wife Sherey. Glen used to give me movies for free that I should check out. I am currently a film major and it was this libraryesque, the store was with in walking distance from my home, willingness to help me that gave me the encyclopedic knowledge that I have today. I remember seeing El Mariachi this way, but there were many others. I also used to get screeners -- again for free. Not really sure how legal that was, but It was great to see a film before it came out.
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
To my recolection they always used to do VCR repair. Later they put an arcade game -- time killers I think it was -- in the back with the Sci-fi and Horror videos. They started selling the free movie posters they got near the end of their life, origionaly they were free. Also later in life they got and started to sell porn. I remember feeling more uncomfortable after that.
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
Just VHS, later some DVDs. Also video games... Nintendo and Sega mostly.
In addition to mainstream Hollywood movies, what other kinds of videotapes
(for example children's, exercise, or X-rated) did the store rent/sell? Where were these
videos found in the store, and how often did you rent or purchase them?
No exercise, I did buy a few used hollywood films. They only sold used videos.
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
Rent, it was cheaper
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
I think I have already answered this.
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
It closed about a year ago. Blockbuster moved it. I am bitter.
In your own words, tell the story of your first VCR/video player. Where
and when did you buy it, and why did you decide to make the purchase?
The first one we as a family got was a top loading silver something or other. I didn't buy it, my dad did. I think then he just got it for the whole toy aspect of it. I remember that the first movies we watched were Temple of Doom and Wrath of Khan. I got my first one a few years later when they got a new one and I got that one. Basically I was watching too mnay movies I think. I used to rent almost one a day -- sometimes four on the weekend.
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
nope