LOS ANGELES (KNX) – Film lovers have a new home in Eagle Rock with the return of Vidiots, a non-profit video store that first opened in Santa Monica in 1985.
In the age of digital streaming, Vidiots and its collection of 60,000 titles on DVD and Blu-ray is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Members were lined up out the door on opening day.
“We have been driving by here for two years waiting for the doors to open and we’re thrilled it’s here,” local resident Alex, a self-proclaimed film geek, told KNX News’ Margaret Carrero.
“I just love the fact that we’ve got something that’s sort of a hub for people,” Alex’s husband Tom added.
After more than 30 years in business, Vidiots shuttered their Santa Monica storefront in 2017 due to rising costs. The organization was able to raise $2.4 million from donors, corporate sponsors, and community partners to relaunch the store in Eagle Rock.
Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber, who founded Vidiots in 1985, were thrilled to see their store return after closing
“It’s been a journey, and I can’t believe what has happened,” Polinger said. “I’m just overwhelmed with the amount of community support and excitement.”
The new store is located inside the Eagle Theatre, which first opened its doors in 1929. In addition to video rentals, the state-of-the-art 271-seat theater will be used as a space for screenings and events.
Photo credit Margaret Carrero / KNX News
Polinger said she thinks physical media is having a comeback moment amid the rise of AI and streaming algorithms.
“It’s so great to have a human who begins to know your taste in movies come in and say, ‘You haven’t seen this, you really need to see this,’ and have a conversation about it after you’ve seen it,” she said.
Executive director Maggie Mackay said the appeal of video rental stores goes beyond a longing for the past — it’s about creating a community space for movie lovers.
“I always say that if nostalgia is what gets you back in the door, that’s great. And then within a few minutes, you’re going to realize that it’s beyond nostalgia, and it’s the pleasure and the joy and the inspiration of having access to a physical media library again, and to browsing, and to talking about movies,” Mackay said.
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