Video Difference, one of the region’s last movie rental stores and a Quinpool Road landmark, is closing its doors after 34 years in business.
Back when the store opened in 1982, it mainly sold electronics, such as VHS players. Eventually, they decided to expand into renting VHS and Beta tapes and in the 90s, they switched to DVDs.
However, the store’s Halifax and Bedford locations have experienced dwindling sales in recent years, as the industry began competing with online streaming services.
Owner Tom Michael says it was time to “leave on a high note.”
“We wanted to be able to offer the service and the selection Video Difference was famous for and we’re at a point where we may not be able to offer that going forward,” Michael said.
“So we thought we’d leave now — liquidate to the public, leave on our terms — while we’re strong.”
While Video Difference has a loyal following of customers who have been a part of the “family” for years, the public’s entertainment preferences have changed.
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“One of the biggest changes, people aren’t into feature length films like they used to be. They’re more into TV series and TV series lend themselves very well to … online services or to cable,” Michael said.
“We have an awful lot of product here, thousands of pieces here that are not available on cable or online. So people really don’t know what they’re missing. But unfortunately, they’re going to be gone.”
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Many longtime customers were just coming to terms with the news on Tuesday morning when they stopped by the Quinpool location to pick up some new titles.
Jordan Morris recalled how Video Difference shaped his youth.
“When I was younger when I came to this place, the horror section used to be right down there and for me it was like, “Am I dead? Am I in heaven?” All these movies I’ve never heard of and this place just blew my mind,” he said.
“I could go here and pick up copies of movies I couldn’t get anywhere else. So, it’s kind of hard for me.”
Michael says his focus now is helping his employees — about 10 of them — find new jobs. Then, he plans to either sell or lease the two storefronts.
Video Difference’s Halifax and Bedford locations have amassed an estimated 80,000 titles in its inventory. They will continue renting out DVDs until Aug. 15. Beginning Aug. 20, the business will be liquidating its inventory to the public.
As a continuation of their commitment to charity and the community, any customer who brings in eight non-perishable food items for the Parker Street Food Bank will receive $5 off their purchase.
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