Renting or buying videos in Sundre the old-fashioned way from a specialty store has gone the way of the dodo bird. Again. Video Experts officially closed up shop Sunday, Sept. 28. But not because business was slow, according to owner Elaine DeGray.
Renting or buying videos in Sundre the old-fashioned way from a specialty store has gone the way of the dodo bird. Again.
Video Experts officially closed up shop Sunday, Sept. 28. But not because business was slow, according to owner Elaine DeGray.
She is retiring and is hoping someone else will take over.
"I can't keep going forever so hopefully someone is going to pick up the torch and go with it," said DeGray.
DeGray started Video Experts stores in Cochrane, Olds and Sundre in 2010 in buildings that, up until then, had housed Movie Gallery stores. When the international video store chain went bankrupt, it sold off its North American holdings, including stores in Innisfail, Didsbury, Sundre, Olds and Cochrane.
The Olds video store closed several years ago. She closed her Video Experts store in Cochrane on Sept. 1 and said she is sad to see the Sundre store close after four years of being open.
"You can go to the movie theatre and you can see the really big name movies, but those small ones, you don't see them unless you rent them."
Many people have expressed disappointment about the store closing said DeGray, adding, "I think that it is a loss to the community. I think it's a real shame. It makes me sad."
She appreciates all of the support from Sundre residents over the past four years.
"I think it's a wonderful community and I'm glad to have been part of it."
The closure will leave a void in the community, she said.
"Sundre's business was quite viable as far as I'm concerned. I think that Sundre needs a video store."
