January 30, 2008
H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks
Revue Video on the Danforth—one of Toronto's last great independent video stores—shut down earlier this month after two decades of providing Riverdalians with access to the best and most obscure foreign, indie, and documentary films. Apparently tired of answering questions about whether the store would re-open, and certainly bitter about something—maybe the Shoppers Drug Mart soon to open across the street—the store owners left a note on the front door about their future intentions, a rather blunt variation on the more typical "back in 5 minutes." Although today's weather is a good candidate for hell blowing over, it's not quite cold enough for the freezing action required to revive the store.
Visible for all to see earlier this week, the sign disappeared sometime before this morning.
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That's a damn shame, I remember they had an impressive collection of Ed Wood films and Bollywood titles.
I think Jumbo Video opening up at Gerrard Square probably drew a lot of customers away from all the little video rental joints on the danforth.
"Apparently tired of answering questions about whether the store would re-open, and certainly bitter about something—maybe the Shoppers Drug Mart soon to open across the street—the store owners left a note on the front door about their future intentions, a rather blunt variation on the more typical "back in 5 minutes."
Actually...as the person who wrote the sign...I can tell you that it was meant as a way of "one-upping" a similar sign left on the door of the store ELAN (two doors West of us), when they closed earlier this month which read "Will Be Back Never!"
The sign was taken down by the previous owner, without my knowledge.
There are many reasons why the store closed. Chief among them being video downloading/streameing on the net, internet video rentals (Netflix and Zip.ca) and the arrival of TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES in Canada.
I would like to thank our customers for their patronage over the years. I have worked in some capacity (clerk...manager...owner) at REVUE for 22 years! The sign I left was NOT a slight on those who were faithful to the store...and they know it! It was just...as the original poster implied...an exasperated attempt "blow off some steam" after spending three months explaining to people who have NOT supported the store over the years, why we were closing!
As for the new SHOPPER'S DRUG MART that will be opening....I feel sorry for the many "Mom And Pop" pharmacies in the area (which is predominately health NOT traditional retail related). They provided a great, personalised service to the area. They will be missed when they have to close down due to lack of business.
DEREK