Night Owl Video, the brainchild of Aaron Hamel and Jess Mills, is the newest old-school video store to bring tangible media back to movie lovers. Opening at 288 Grand Street last Friday, the shop offered a range from 4K Ultra HD to the almost-ancient VHS and LaserDiscs, along with film memorabilia and other merchandise.
"Film fans are sick of paying for fractured streaming services and losing access to their favorite movies," Hamel told Time Out New York. He went on to explain that Night Owl Video aims to be a haven for those still passionate about owning physical copies of films. The store's launch seems to perfectly cash in on the current trend of a renewed appreciation for physical media.
The new shop is set to not only sell but to eventually rent these films, in addition to celebrating them with community events. According to an interview in Time Out New York, expect in-store pop-ups, signings, and "various other exciting activations." Acknowledging the modern world’s impact on retail, an e-commerce platform is also on the horizon for this summer, enabling far-reaching access to their offerings.
"Holding a tangible laser disc in your hand is such a different feeling than browsing a carousel on Netflix," said Hamel in a statement obtained by Eyewitness News. The appeal of physical media and the communal aspect of in-person shopping are central to the vision behind Night Owl Video. Despite the dominance of digital streaming, co-founders Hamel and Mills believe there remains a strong desire for the social interaction and sense of discovery that only a brick-and-mortar store can offer.
Customers of all ages are coming to check out the collection. "We had an 18-year-old in, and they were like, 'I'm buying VHS,' and they said they were going to go home and watch it on their VCR that they own, and that just blew me away," Hamel told Eyewitness News.
