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NYC Welcomes Night Owl Video: A New Haven for Physical Media Enthusiasts
Despite the dominance of streaming services, a new video store, Night Owl Video, has emerged in NYC, signaling a potential resurgence for physical media. Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, this independent movie retailer offers a vast collection of films, catering to cinephiles and those seeking an alternative to streaming movies. Night Owl Video aims to recapture the experience of browsing physical media, offering a curated selection that goes beyond typical online algorithms.
A Brick-and-Mortar Revival for Movie Lovers
For those nostalgic for the days of perusing aisles of movies, Night Owl Video presents a refreshing option. This recently launched establishment is currently the sole full-service video store in New York City. It boasts approximately 1,500 unique titles, ranging from cult classics like the 1980s “Cannibal Holocaust” to contemporary award-winners such as “Anora.” The store stocks a variety of formats, including VHS, DVD, and other relics from the golden age of physical media.
Extensive Selection and Future Rental Plans
Movie enthusiasts can find both new and used films available for purchase, with prices spanning from budget-friendly options around $5 to collector’s items exceeding $100 for rare VHS tapes. The owners plan to introduce rental services in the near future, further expanding their offerings and appealing to a wider customer base.
Catering to Every Cinematic Taste
“We are endeavoring to curate a diverse assortment of formats, genres, and cinematic works, ensuring the store resonates with a broad spectrum of customers,” explained co-owner Aaron Hamel, 35, in an interview. Hamel, along with Jess Mills, 39, co-founded Night Owl Video. Their shared passion for film, cultivated during their time at the renowned B-movie production house Troma Entertainment, motivated them to address the dwindling number of video stores in Gotham.
Nostalgia and Community Drive New Venture
Hamel, a dedicated film aficionado, conveyed that the store’s concept is rooted in cherished memories of “family movie nights” during his upbringing in Detroit, Michigan. He recalled video store visits as anticipated events, a stark contrast to the impersonal nature of endless online scrolling.
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Enthusiastic Reception from New Yorkers
New Yorkers are demonstrably embracing this wave of analog nostalgia. During Night Owl’s initial soft opening on April 5th, an impressive 550 patrons visited within a five-hour period, indicating a strong demand for physical media experiences.
Countering the Streaming Era
This enthusiasm is perhaps predictable considering the decline of iconic NYC video institutions, casualties of the convenience and affordability offered by digital streaming platforms over the past decade. Night Owl Video aims to provide an alternative, emphasizing curation and community.
Inspiration from Kim’s Video and Videology
“Our primary inspiration for opening stemmed from our fondness for beloved establishments like Kim’s Video and Videology that once thrived in New York,” Hamel recounted, referencing the cherished downtown institution that served as a cultural hub for Gen X in its St. Marks Place heyday.
Filling a Void Left by Closures
Kim’s Video closed its doors in 2014, a year after the closure of NYC’s last corporate Blockbuster location. “Following Kim’s closure, we grew weary of waiting for someone else to establish a similar store,” Hamel stated. “We resolved to take the initiative ourselves.”
More Than Just a Retro Revival
However, Night Owl Video transcends mere nostalgia for bygone movie rental shops. Patrons have noted that the store’s inventory includes titles that are often unavailable on popular streaming platforms.
Unique and Hard-to-Find Titles
“On streaming services like Netflix, finding specific titles can be a frustrating endeavor,” commented Brooklyn resident Dwayne Mendez, 43, while holding a copy of “Trick or Treat,” a 1986 supernatural horror film starring Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne. “I possess this DVD, and yet, it’s absent from streaming catalogs.”
Hamel further mentioned that certain rarities, such as a compilation of classic television programs, children’s shows, and vintage commercials, never even transitioned to DVD format, making physical copies the only way to access them.
Collector’s Items and Rare Finds
The Brooklyn-based video store has acquired a selection of “truly unique” used videos from collectors. Upon entering, customers are immediately drawn to a glass display showcasing a $100 Japanese laserdisc of director David Lynch’s 1977 film “Eraserhead,” which Hamel describes as “exceptionally rare in that condition.”
Supporting Cult and Classic Cinema
For devoted movie aficionados, Night Owl also features titles from specialized distributors like Vinegar Syndrome. Founded in 2012, Vinegar Syndrome is dedicated to preserving “rare and cult” films from the 1960s through the 1980s, having restored and preserved over 500 feature films to date.
Preserving Physical Media in the Digital Age
Customer Liza Jackson, 20, emphasized the importance of “sustaining physical media’s relevance” in an era dominated by streaming, where content libraries are often transient. “Collecting physical media is enjoyable, and you avoid the worry of titles vanishing from services like Hulu,” the Hell’s Kitchen-based filmmaker remarked.
Community Aspect and Curated Recommendations
Perhaps the most significant element that Night Owl endeavors to revitalize is the “community” dimension of movie discovery. “We genuinely aim to reinstate the concept of avoiding algorithmic movie recommendations,” stated Mills.
Personalized Recommendations and Film Lover Community
“We encourage patrons to visit a physical space where they can explore the shelves, engage with fellow film enthusiasts, and obtain recommendations from individuals rather than relying solely on major corporations promoting their proprietary content.”
Memorabilia and Home Video Accessories
In keeping with the tradition of neighborhood video stores, Night Owl features an array of film memorabilia, from posters to apparel, and even publications like Fangoria magazine, including a “Hellraiser” issue autographed by stars Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence.
Hamel also mentioned plans to sell home video equipment and DVD players to accommodate offline cinephiles, particularly newcomers who may lack the necessary hardware to enjoy physical media.
A Sign of the Times or a Relic of the Past?
Is Night Owl Video a trendsetter or a final vestige of a disappearing era?
Physical Media’s Vinyl-like Trajectory
Hamel, for one, believes they are tapping into a developing trend, asserting, “The physical media sector for films is following a similar trajectory to vinyl records 15 to 20 years ago. We’re witnessing the growth of a passionate collector fanbase.”
Kim’s Video Underground: A Precedent for Revival
Kim’s Video itself experienced a “Pet Sematary”-esque revival in 2022 when the Alamo Drafthouse in lower Manhattan began offering its long-dormant collection under the banner Kim’s Video Underground.
Hope for the Future with Gen Z Interest
Witnessing Night Owl’s Gen Z clientele gives Hamel optimism for the future. “That generation has matured entirely in a digital environment,” the film enthusiast observed. “Tangible formats hold a certain allure for them, and furthermore, there’s a point where screen fatigue sets in.”