Downtown Kitchener video rental store prepares to shut down, again
It’s a sequel of sorts for a downtown Kitchener video rental store, as it gets set to say goodbye for good.
It's the end of an era in Waterloo region, with Far Out Flicks being the last of its kind. But this isn't the first time the store has prepared to pack up.
The Kitchener staple was set to close at the end of 2021, but a new deal with the landlord kept the doors open for its 20th year. But is there a chance this story becomes a trilogy?
"Yeah, one would think. Usually, I don't like trilogies," said owner Rolf Glemser, laughing.
He says the finale of Far Out Flicks will come on Jan. 15, 2023, after getting a 15-day reprieve from when his lease is up at the end of this year. In the meantime, he is doing a big screen sendoff by selling the store's extensive video collection.
"DVDs are a buck. I've got VHS [tapes], 10 for a dollar. TV shows, two bucks," said Glemser.
Far Out Flicks will be flicking the lights off in the new year. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV News Kitchener)
When it comes to why Far Out Flicks is flicking the lights off, the high cost of rent is partially to blame. Pair that with the competition of streaming giants, and keeping the screens on becomes nearly impossible.
But Glemser says those services are lacking when it comes to making strong movie recommendations. He says each person on his staff has their favourite genre, and once they know what a customer likes, they can help choose similar movies. He argues streaming services aren't as accurate.
"Amazon said if you like Rango, get Human Centipede 3. I'm not kidding," Glemser said.
Customers say a store like Far Out Flicks is so valuable because they offer films and shows you can watch again and again. With streaming services, that's not always promised.
"If a company decides to revoke the privilege to some show you watch, you might not ever end up watching that show," said Charles, a customer.
Glemser predicts a resurgence of movie stores as early as the next decade. Does that mean Far Out Flicks could be part of that? He didn't say yes, but he also didn't say no.
Still, Far Out Flicks won't completely disappear. Once the store closes, Glemser plans to sell movies over the phone, online and at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market as soon as the spring.
In the meantime, he offered up some movie-watching advice -- the movie isn't always over when you think it is.
"When the credits are over, watch the rest of the movie," he said, listing off some films where this is the case. "There's still more stuff at the end of the credits."
So even though the credits may be rolling on this part of Glemser's story, keep watching closely because sometimes it's worth sticking around until the very end.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Jasper wildfire burns buildings, while poor air quality forces some fire crews out
A fast-moving wildfire has hit Jasper, Alberta, destroying buildings and chasing some wildland firefighters away with dangerously poor air quality.
Jasper mayor says alert system to be reviewed after message 'glitch'
More than 25,000 people have been displaced from Jasper National Park since wildfires started to threaten the picturesque corner of Alberta Rockies on Monday, but the mayor of its namesake municipality says not everyone received an evacuation alert when it was sent out.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.