February 28, 2018 will signal the end of an era for Cessnock.
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Video Ezy Cessnock will close its doors, after 25 years of providing entertainment for the local community.
It is the last-remaining bricks-and-mortar video store in Cessnock; and one of very few still operating in the Hunter region.
The movie rental industry was in its heyday when current owner John Tancred bought Video Ezy Cessnock 15 years ago.
The chain had more than 600 stores across Australia, New Zealand and south-east Asia at its peak in the early 2000s.
It was the transition era from VHS to DVDs, and the video shop was the place to be on Friday and Saturday nights.
Mr Tancred says piracy, advances in technology and the rise of streaming and download services have hurt the industry in recent years.
“Foxtel, Stan, Netflix have all impacted us, especially over the past couple of years,” he said.
Mr Tancred’s three-year franchise agreement, and lease on the Allandale Road premises, are coming to an end, so he made the sad decision to close the store.
“I could have closed it three years ago, but it was still paying for itself then,” he said.
“These days it’s a struggle.”
Mr Tancred said he appreciates the support of the local community over the years.
“We’ve got a lot of loyal customers,” he said.
“People are pretty sad to hear about it.”
The store currently employs five staff, and has provided work opportunities for dozens of local people over the past 25 years, including 81 during Mr Tancred’s time as owner.
Store manager Kristy Brady knows better than most how the movie rental industry has evolved – she has worked in video stores for 25 years, starting out at Home Entertainment in the Cessnock Marketplace as a 16-year-old, followed by stints at Video Ezy Toronto and Charlestown, before starting at the Cessnock store in 2009.
Ms Brady said it’s the customers that she will miss the most.
“The relationships that you build, we will miss that interaction,” she said.
“It’s going to be sad.
“But the reality is that everything is so readily available online.”
Video Ezy kiosks have been installed in many towns around Australia (including Kurri Kurri) after the closure of stores. The company is investigating two possible locations for kiosks in Cessnock.
Video Ezy Cessnock’s closing down sale will start this Friday and run through to February 28.