Did you know Santa Fe is home to the oldest video store in the U.S. maybe even the world?
If you’re frustrated with streaming services, Video Library is an invaluable resource. A mecca of film history, community, and nostalgia, and one of the last places where you can still experience the euphoria of getting lost in the shelves.
Explore the glorious chaos, catch their FREE Monday movie presentations at Jean Cocteau Cinema, and support this rare gem to help keep it alive.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/VIDEO-LIBRARY-SANTA-FE
Open 12pm-6 Fri-Mon
505omatic Paid subscribers: Stay tuned for an exclusive bonus video of Lisa Harris' favorite movies from Video Library's New Mexico Section
Transcript:
WARREN: We're paying more every few months for streaming services that keep consolidating into fewer companies with increasingly questionable ethics for movies and TV shows that just keep getting worse. Well, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, we're lucky enough to have one of the few remaining alternatives.
Warren: Lisa Harris opened video library in 1981.
Lisa: My husband and I We just knew most places weren't gonna buy the things we wanted to see, so we knew we had to do it
Warren: It has the unique distinction of being the oldest continuously operating video store in the us, possibly the world.
Lisa: A lady from LA contacted me and said, oh, I just was doing some research and I found this out. I had no idea.
Warren: But wait, how do video stores work again?
Lisa: I pretty much know everything I own in here off the top of my head.
If you have stuff you're looking for, just ask. If you can't find it where it should be, doesn't mean a thing. 'cause if things get misplaced [00:01:00] here, it can be very interesting to find them again.
Warren: Even if what you want isn't in stock, it's still a better experience than scrolling endlessly on streaming.
Lisa: I am better than any algorithm ever could be. And once I get to know what you like, I will happily inflict my opinion upon you.
Warren: What's your media setup at home?
Charles: I just have a DVD player and, and a big screen tv.
Warren: No streaming services?
Charles: I canceled them recently because the news is too much BS [chuckles] and not enough substance. But then I remembered video library
It's hometown, laid back, chill, friendly... family.
Warren: Plus, when else would you get the experience of scouring the shelves and discovering something you forgot you wanted to watch or maybe never even knew existed? Also...
Lisa: It's social. It is community driven. Movies are a wonderful connector. I can end up with a line of people, none of them would have anything in common. And then somebody will mention.
That they loved some movie and then the next person in line is [00:02:00] like, oh my God, that's one of my favorites.
Warren: And now the community has expanded beyond the store to our favorite little movie theater.
Lisa: every Monday night we get to show a free movie at the Jean Cocteau Cinema. We're coming up on three years. It gets to be my choice,
Warren: And it's free if you show up early enough to get a seat. Speaking of money, how has video library made it this long when all the other stores have closed
Lisa: We haven't made money in years! As long as the store can pay for itself, I can continue doing it. So all I have to do is break even. But that is why we have things like a GoFundMe, which is embarrassing.
I would really, really love it if you came and rented movies and I'm willing to work for it, and then I wouldn't have to ask people for money anymore. That would be thrilling.