Give some serious props to this video store in Germany that opened in 1975, and IS STILL OPEN. How many shops in the USA can say that? At this moment not very many opened just a couple of decades ago can make that claim thanks to the many different services we have now. Owner Eckhard Baum has the distinction of owning and operating the oldest video store in Germany, a fact that was confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1998. That’s something to be proud of really, even when the rest of the world is slowly going to streaming TV and other services that are slowly surely eclipsing every movie store within reach.
One good thing about Baum’s business however is that he caters to older clients as well as the younger generation since he enjoys keeping a healthy supply of older movies as well as newer titles so that people can enjoy the classics as well as the new releases. That kind of service doesn’t really come around that often anymore despite the fact that a good number of streaming services do have a bevy of older classics in their lineup. Baum however can offer them at a much cheaper price despite the fact that running the store is less cost effective than it seems. At this point it’s more of a hobby than a true business, but it’s one that he doesn’t plan on relinquishing any time soon.
Aside from the enjoyment that comes from being able to offer his community a friendly nod to the past with his selection of DVD’s Baum also enjoys chatting with his customers when they come in. This gives his business a friendly, more personal feel that streaming can’t match. Of course that personal touch doesn’t really pay the bills, more’s the pity, but it is definitely something that people tend to like and can fully enjoy when they come in to rent a movie.
Baum actually started out his business by loaning out films that were done in Super 8, a type of film that was popular until the 1980’s. He simply figured that he might as well make a business out of it, and from that point he began renting films to his patrons and became one of thousands of movie stores in the region that started doing business. His goal of being the first was accomplished decades ago, while his goal of being the last is still being realized as more and and more businesses are giving way to streaming. His business gives a personal touch to his neighborhood, but eventually even he knows that it will have to give way. At this time however he’s enjoying the service he provides and the status that’s come with being the oldest video store in all of Germany.
Whether his is the oldest video store in the world is a matter of debate but at this point it might be better just to accept such a claim. After all I’m sure a lot of us can remember the days of walking into the video store hoping to find something new and exciting to watch.
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