I worked at video stores throughout most of University. It was a great job. My first stint was at More Than Video in Huntington Hills (where the Black Bull pub is now). It was a great independent store that died when we moved down to just off McKnight by the old hotel.
I then worked for Rogers Video. The cool 2 story one on 14th street NW (where Zarley Zalapski RIP and Rick Tabaracci would regularly come in), followed by the one up on Country Hills, Woodbine and then the Mt. Royal location (where Cibo is/was now). The latter was an awesome location - cool old building (that we thought was haunted), and really great clientele.
I eventually stayed with the company after graduating and my first real job was working in the marketing department in the head office in Richmond. Bruce McCulloch would come in from time to time.
I have a ton of fond memories and miss video stores dearly. In an on-demand world where you can watch anything, there thrill of unexpected discoveries has been lost. Some of my favorite movies are ones that I found when the new release wall was picked over and you had to "dive into the shelves" to find something. I enjoyed recommending those types of hidden gems to customers and then hear how they loved them when they returned the next day.
Just good times. I supported as many of the last standing video stores in Calgary until they all died off. The last one was actually a place call Hollywood Bollywood (I think) in the NE. They lasted just a touch longer, if I recall, than Casablanca.
Other ones I remember
- Flicks
- Video HQ
- Just New Releases
- Jumbo Video
- Video and Sound (downtown on Centre Street - HUGE selection)
- GUN Video (store on Edmonton Trail that was a Gun store and when it turned into a video store they were too lazy to replace the sign - so just called it GUN video)
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I can't believe I'm old enough to remember going to Blockbuster and Casablanca, but I am. I also miss HMV.
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When I first started dating my wife she lived a block away from Casablanca - loved that place.
We've recently discovered a podcast by ex ESPN Bill Simmons called the Rewatchables. It's where he and some friends/coworkers break down movies they watch over and over again. It's been quite fun for us to watch a movie again and then listen to the corresponding pod.
I can't believe I'm old enough to remember going to Blockbuster and Casablanca, but I am. I also miss HMV.
I miss HMV as well, but I find Sunrise Records is pretty good as well. Sadly Walmart and Best Buy are cutting down on their physical media sections reducing them greatly, to the point where I don't think they will continue to sell movies much longer. I love walking around Sunrise and checking out the selections, and their prices for most stuff are pretty close if not better than Amazon.
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I miss HMV as well, but I find Sunrise Records is pretty good as well. Sadly Walmart and Best Buy are cutting down on their physical media sections reducing them greatly, to the point where I don't think they will continue to sell movies much longer. I love walking around Sunrise and checking out the selections, and their prices for most stuff are pretty close if not better than Amazon.
What was the name of the record store that was on 17th Ave, just west of 14th st SW
It had an amazing collection
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
Not sure was it Sloth Records? I'm always on the lookout for places to buy movies in Calgary if anyone has suggestions let me know. The only two (outside of Sunrise Records) I visit regularly are CD Trader in Brentwood and Buy and Sell Store. CD Trader is actually pretty good, I've found some hidden gems in there for a great price.
I can't get rid of my physical media, it's like a third arm. I have looked for an alternative storage option, and mostly everything is ugly as all hell, or doesn't leave room for the inserts. I stumbled upon this, which I am seriously considering, but it's pricey, even ordering direct from the company.
NSFW!
I will also say that the theme song by Kris Kristofferson was the best thing about Convoy!
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Anyone remember the name of the video store that used to be on 4 ST NW in Thorncliffe, adjacent to the Safeway? That was the one I always went to as a kid until it closed and had to go to Blockbuster in Beddington, loved it there.
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Originally Posted by Back2Back
The Oilers are very close on becoming a powerhouse team.
Anyone remember the name of the video store that used to be on 4 ST NW in Thorncliffe, adjacent to the Safeway? That was the one I always went to as a kid until it closed and had to go to Blockbuster in Beddington, loved it there.
I have so many random memories of Flicks, they had a poster for Halloween 3 up and I remember it really freaked me out as a child. I also remember camping out near there in 04 for playoff tickets at Scrapbook Sallys what a time to be alive.
Has anyone been to The Lobby video store in Edmonton? Wonder if it's any good, besides being in ya know Edmonton. http://www.thelobbymovies.com/
Death Rides a Horse, that’s a good one if you love the old spaghetti westerns. I bet they rented that at all these random video stores. Cant go wrong with Lee Van Cleef
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Anyone remember the name of the video store that used to be on 4 ST NW in Thorncliffe, adjacent to the Safeway? That was the one I always went to as a kid until it closed and had to go to Blockbuster in Beddington, loved it there.
Jumbo was next to Safeway
Flicks was across the street
There were also flicks in beddington and one in the mall with “all west” and the bowling alley
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