Communities across Michigan are finding themselves with new space to develop as one of the last remaining video rental brick-and-mortar video rental businesses, Family Video, is closing its doors.
Employees said while the end may have been in sight, COVID, the demand for streaming services and lack of new releases sped up the company’s demise.
Erica Barnes is a store manager at one of the two Family Video locations in Cadillac. She said she’s relishing the final days.
“I’m trying to enjoy every moment I have with my customers. A lot of them come in are regulars that I may never see again,” said Barnes.
Cadillac City Manager Marcus Peccia said he’s confident the properties will be redeveloped.
“I do believe there are still commercial enterprises that would love to have a physical imprint in our community and I don't see it's going to be too difficult for those properties to redevelop,” he said.
According to a statement from Family Video, the company hung on 10 years longer than its competitors such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Video.
Family Video operates close to 250 stores in the United States. Fifty-eight are in Michigan. All, according to the company, will be closing.