Employee profile
What was the name of your video store?
Blockbuster Videos
Where was the store located?
Atlanta, Georgia (United States)
When did you start working at this store?
1994
In your own words, how did you get started working in video retail? What
led you to choose the video industry, and this store in particular?
As a film studies major, working in a video store seemed the right way to go. I worked their for 6 years, in time receiving my bachelor's degree from Georgia State University and my master's from Emory University.
Describe your store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
Just like any other BBV. It had two game consoles hooked up which we played everyday.
What were your customers like? What particularly memorable customers or events do you remember?
We had alot of famous people frequent our BBV, from Mom Huxtable, a few basketball players, Debbie Allen, and others.
What was your boss like? How did he or she divide the work in the store?
I was the manager, so I would say that I was pretty nice!
What video formats did your store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
VHS, DVD, and Laserdisc. All were grouped in each individual section.
In addition to mainstream Hollywood movies, what other kinds of videotapes
(children's videos or X-rated tapes, for example) did you rent/sell? Where were these
videos found in your store, and how important were they to the business?
BBV, so only children's with for sale videos up front.
What other services/products did you offer besides the rental or sale of
programs? Did this change over time?
Not much.
Did you ever rent VCRs or other hardware to your customers? If so,
how important were hardware rentals to the business?
VCR were rented to mostly out-of-towners.
During the period that you worked at the store, what changes did you see take place?
Constantly reshifting prices and deals. A tightening on store differences (no more employee favs).
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
Yes.