One of the Longest Running Video Rental Stores in Portland is Going Out of Business

They started renting VHS tapes when it was how you watched a movie at home. They made the transitions to DVD and Blu-Ray without missing a beat. In the end though, high lease rates and streaming video service have forced this video rental store in Portland to close its doors after 28 years. 

Videoport on Middle Street in Portland will close for good in August, and I have to admit I contributed to their demise.

I've followed Videoport Jones on Facebook for several years. I don't remember if "he" sent me a friend request or if it was the other way around. I have no idea who is behind the account because regrettably I never set foot in the store.

I do truly regret that too, because from all I read and heard about Videoport, it truly was the best place to rent a movie because the selection and knowledge of the staff surpasses anything you can get online.

Yes, I do prefer to stream my movies and I loathe Redbox. When I would want to watch a movie like Fletch with Chevy Chase and it's not available on Netflix or available for rental on any of the streaming places like Amazon, Google Play and Apple iWhateveritis, I know that Videoport would have had it. Still, I didn't go.

I'm sorry Videoport. I dropped the ball. You were there for me extending the invitation, and as much as I kept saying I would go and get my membership card, I never did.

Here's what Videoport Jones wrote on his blog about the closing:

Videoport is closing in August. We want to thank the people of Greater Portland for your loyalty and friendship over these last 28 years, it’s been great. Thank You!

 

All is not lost! We are donating the Videoport movie collection to the Portland Public Library. Soon instead of a FREE movie every day at Videoport you will be able to get all your movies FREE at the library! Actually not all FREE, you need to support your public library just as you supported Videoport. Please enjoy all the Portland Public Library collections and services, and when you do, please make a donation to the library so they can keep up bringing in the New Releases!

 

The first movies moving to the Portland Public Library will be the Criterion Collection. You should find them on the shelf at the library sometime toward the end of July. Next we will start moving over the Foreign Language film section. Please stop by the library and check out their beautiful DVD section, sign up for a library card if you don’t already have one, and try out borrowing something! At Videoport the last day to rent movies will be Saturday August 15.

I may not have gotten my Videoport membership card, but I swear I'll get a library card, make a donation, and see what I missed out on at Videoport. Please tell me a copy of Fletch will be there.