When was the last time you rented a VHS tape from a retail storefront?
The movie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse wants to bring back the classic home theater experience. And if you're already feeling nostalgic, you won't have to wait much longer. According to Entertainment Weekly, Alamo Drafthouse will open its first brick-and-mortar store, called Video Vortex in Raleigh, North Carolina. The location is still under construction, but is expected to open sometime this year.
All 75,000 VHS tapes will be available to rent—wait for it—for free. The catch? The VHS players are paid rentals because let's be honest, you haven't had a VHS player in a decade.
WRAL reports the storefront will accompany an 11-screen theater, bar, and restaurant at 2116 New Bern Ave. The shop will also sell film merchandise, Blu-rays, and even beer. There will be 40 local beers on tap as well as growlers, bombers, and six-packs available for purchase. There will also be a board game area for free play.
“For me, one of the most thrilling aspects of Video Vortex is the ability to connect with renters and cultivate diverse exchange about film culture,” manager Josh Schafer tells EW. “Making personal connections and offering recommendations through a knowledgeable and passionate staff, it’s something that slays an algorithm any day."
Alamo Drafthouse director of genre programming Joseph A. Ziemba recently noted that “VHS is still the only way to see hundreds of forgotten genre movies."
Additionally, the location plans to host an annual VHStival beginning Oct. 27 dedicated to VHS-only releases as well as trading.
Is VHS the new vinyl? We'll have to wait and see how this experiment takes off.
