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I'm surprised movie rental stores have lasted this long! i rented dvds back in the day because they were so expensive to buy.
 
I'm young and still prefer renting DVD's over Netflix or Torrents. I find they have much more selection and I always leave with a couple of movies that I wouldn't find on Netflix. There's always a lot of young people browsing, so I am assuming the generation that has cut cable is what is keeping them alive. With Blockbuster gone and Rogers slowly disappearing, I think they have their own little niche market that can potentially keep them in business for quite some time.

It's quite out of the way for me, yet I still visit and rent from them. I used to use Mr. Movie on Mutual Street but it closed down several years ago :(

7 & 24 has much better selection though!
 
There is a greater selection of movies in a DVD/Blu-ray shoppe. Rogers on Demand is limited, Netflix is totally limited, and you can't get all the bonus features on RoD or online streaming. I admit that if I am mildly curious in a film I will see it online or RoD, but if I want to see 'extras' and am a fan I go for the physical rental or just flat-out buy it.
 
Tuscani01 said:
I'm young and still prefer renting DVD's over Netflix or Torrents. I find they have much more selection and I always leave with a couple of movies that I wouldn't find on Netflix. There's always a lot of young people browsing, so I am assuming the generation that has cut cable is what is keeping them alive. With Blockbuster gone and Rogers slowly disappearing, I think they have their own little niche market that can potentially keep them in business for quite some time.

It's quite out of the way for me, yet I still visit and rent from them. I used to use Mr. Movie on Mutual Street but it closed down several years ago :(

7 & 24 has much better selection though!
Click to expand...

i wasn't sad to see Rogers Video or Blockbuster go. I remember when Blockbuster came in and ran some really good local video stores out of business. Then tripled their prices. With them it was quantity over quality. They didn't carry the lesser known movie titles like the independent movie shops did.

It's nice to see some video rental shops are still going!
 
I'm not sure Rogers On Demand and Netflix are really comparables to the old-style video store. Neither claims to have an in-depth selection in terms of back catalogue (and, for Netflix, even in terms of current releases), but rather they both have a alternating selection. It's iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, etc., with their large libraries of films and tv series, that are probably the true successors to the video store. Having said that, while there certainly is a convenience and selection factor at play when using online services, they don't fully replace the old neighbourhood video store. For example, try buying or renting Raiders of the Lost Ark online. You generally can't. Expect to see more of that nonsense from movie studios.

I haven't been to 7 & 24 in years, but I seem to recall they had a strong selection of LGBT movies (try browsing for LGBT movies on iTunes - you can't), which may help explain their longevity. Also doesn't hurt that so many of their competitors have closed.
 
Yes, that store has a great selection of gay and alternative videos, that I have not seen anywhere else. When I have friends over, I always go there to find something interesting. I love this video store and will keep supporting it no matter where they go. (downtown)
 
I changed over to Netflix USA (shhhh!) and it's considerably better than the Canadian one, they have a better selection and even a gay section but it still doesn't come within an mile of an average video store let alone 7&24. Other great video stores, Queen West Video, Suspect, Bay St. Video and there are a few others out there that have terrific off-beat, hard-to-find films. I haven't tried iTunes or any of the others, I've no interest and I don't like badly compressed films on my 65" plasma screen and I won't watch them on my monitor. I only have Netflix because a friend offered to share her account with me so it costs me nothing. As a lifelong movie lover there's not a whole lot of things I enjoy more from day to day than taking my time to browse 7&24 during the week; rent two and get a third for free = $8 including tax. I burn them and watch them when I have time, no way I can watch two films in one night. Support your local video store!!!
 
Skeezix said:
I haven't been to 7 & 24 in years, but I seem to recall they had a strong selection of LGBT movies (try browsing for LGBT movies on iTunes - you can't), which may help explain their longevity. Also doesn't hurt that so many of their competitors have closed.
Click to expand...
...and BluRay porn! (somebody had to say it).

On another note, Xtra Daily is confirming that Starbucks will be taking their old space.
 
The Churchmouse and Firkin was closed today (4 FEB 2014) as I walked by it (5.45pm). Is something up?
 
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