Storeowner profile
What is/was the name of your video store?
Coast Video
Where was the store located?
Fountain Valley, California (United States)
When did you open/buy this store?
1982
In your own words, please tell the story of how you got involved in the video retail
industry. When did you open your first video store? Why did you decide to do so?
I had been laid off by my company and decided that I wanted the "security" of my own business. Video was a relatively new thing at that time (early 1982). A friend of mine had opened a video store several months previous. After talking with him and spending a little time in his store, I decided to try my hand at it too.
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features, and why did you choose to design it this way?
Josh, Do you want some pictures? We've got them showing the transitions over 5 years.
What were your customers like? What particularly memorable customers
or events do you remember?
It would be easier to discuss them with you rather than writing.
What were your employees like? What qualifications or expertise did
you look for in an employee?
We only had a couple of part-time employees. Family members ran the store most of the time. The qualifications looked for was friendliness, ability to interface with customers, at least half-a-brain amd an interest in movies.
What video formats did your store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store? How did this selection change over time?
VHS and Beta. The formats weren't separated. Over time of course, the Beta format disappeared.
In addition to mainstream Hollywood movies, what other kinds of videotapes
(for example children's, exercise, or X-rated) did your store rent/sell? Where were
these videos found in the store, and how important were they to your business?
All of the above. Children's tapes were about 10%-15% of the rentals/sales as were X-rated. The X-rated were kept in a large cabinet with solid doors.
What other services/products did you offer besides the rental or sale of
programs? Did this change over time?
rental/sales of video games; duplication services for home videos and company training tapes; video equipment sales; accessories.
Did you ever rent VCRs or other hardware to your customers? If so,
how important were hardware rentals to your business?
Video players only - not recorders. Minor part of business.
During the period that you worked in video retail, what changes did you see
taking place in the industry as a whole?
When we opened our store, there were 3 video stores within a 3 mile radius (including ours). After a year or two there were over 35. Then the big companies started renting videos - that was the end. Most of the mom and pop stores went out of business (including ours).
Are you still in the video retail business? If so, please describe your current
involvement in the video industry.
No longer involved in the video industry.