Video Difference going out 'on a high note' as liquidation sale begins

More ofHalifax's favourite films are off to new homes, as Video Difference's liquidation sale began Saturday.

ElizabethMacLeodof Herring Cove, N.S., joined the line with her daughterat the Quinpool Road rental shop.

"I've been coming for decades," she said. "I can't remember which decade, but it's been awhile."

Video Difference, now in its 34th year, is set to close after liquidating itsmassive55,000 title-collection over the next seven weeks. The company, which also has a second location closingin Bedford, is collecting food bank donations, too.

David Logan, a veteran employee of 26 years, said he felt like he was selling his babies, but to only good homes.

Support 'very moving'

People linedup to wait for the store to open Saturday morning at 9, and filledthe tall, narrow building. Many cameto buy a favourite rental, but others stopped by to pass on warm wishes.

"We appreciate the support and the expression of sadness ...outpouring in the last few days, and truly appreciate it. It's very moving," owner Tom Michael said.

"I'd equate it to be almost a receiving line at a wake.Really, people are going to miss us ...We left a mark in their memory."

Zach Long was one of the mourners, having been a longtime customer who rented horror films from there and then reviewed them online.

"We're losing a video store, which is one of the last bastions where you can go and find random things that inspire you," he said.

'Heads held high'

The Video Difference team knew for several years this day was coming, manager Paul Boisjoli said. With the increase in streaming services,sales dropped beyond a level that could sustain the collection and service.

"We wanted it to be a celebration and not a wake, and that was our reason for going now," Boisjolisaid.

"We wanted to go with our heads held high, and we wanted to go out on a high note."

'Cull the world for our collection'

Boisjoli bustled between chatting with customersand straightening films on their shelves. For what may be the first time, the discs sat next to their cases, instead of safebehind the rental counter.

"We've nurtured this love of film for 34 years. We weren't just your typical video store. We did literally cull the world for our collection," he said.

"We brought people and exposed people to all kinds of variations on film, and I think that has a lasting impact."

'This would disappear'

That impact will lastlonger, beyond Video Difference closing.Halifax Public Libraries, withDalhousie University, bought about 5,500 titles, saving them for public use.

"Kudos to them for stepping up," Boijolis said.

"They were the ones that realized this would disappear into a thousand different homes and a thousand different collections."