X-Entertainment's Christmas Season & Advent Calendar, 2008.

01/18/2006: Farewell, Easy Video.

New article coming this weekend. Highlight of the week has been wrapping a project at work for LEGO and drawing inspiration from Unicron’s theme song for the background track. More on this later. The only thing important to me tonight is mourning the loss of Easy Video, the most kickass video store in the world. I paid tribute to it in a roundabout way in this old article, and I’d gone back to it many, many times since then. Stuffed with some of the most memorable but impossible-to-find cassettes known to geek along with piles and piles of old candy, trading card packs and random toys, we jetted over to its former location near the Woodbridge Mall in Jersey tonight to find an empty store in an empty chain mall that seemed dangerously close to being obliterated by a wrecking ball. My heart sank, especially because this means I missed the liquidation sale. Adding to the pain is that the only decent mom & pop video store left in my general area is one I have a massively delinquent account at.

And just down the street from the former Easy Video rests the gloriously old Hostess Bakery as seen in X-E’s Choco-Diles article. I assume that’ll be next to go, thus eliminating any reason for me to ever visit the city of Woodbridge again. This cannot happen. To be frank, the city of Woodbridge needs me.

Holy Choco-dile… an X-E article I hadn’t read yet coupled with the addition of "Bakery Thriftshop" to my vocabulary??? Wow. I’ll anoint this post reason #5149 why I love X-E.

Unicron as in Transformers? The first couple times I read that I thought it said Unicorn… like the band.

I feel for ya. There was a small video game store in an abandoned mall that carried unbelievable finds. Through them I bought a mint and complete(though it’d been opened before) Chrono Trigger. Yes, for SNES….. Click here to see it.

*pat**pat* I feel your pain, man. I can only imagine how devistated I’d be if I drove out to Zern’s and the store with all the crazy unopened stuff from the 80’s was missing.

Choco Diles have been making a comeback. I am for serious that i just got one at the gas station one town over.

Wow…I don’t know how I missed that article about the magical video store when I thoroughly raped and pillaged your site of all of its goodies a year ago. I would have made a pilgrimage there (or at least prayed in its direction three times a day).

I’m only going to assume that the local Wal-Mart is to blame for the loss of your beloved video store. Yet another reason for me to hate Sam Walton’s stinking guts.

About 15 minutes away from where I live in Virginia is an old mom & pop convenience store/tobacco store that I go to every so often to buy clove cigarettes. I had never read the Easy Video article you linked before, but after reading it it reminded me of this convenience store. This is mainly because in one of the aisles they have a butt-load of old trading cards and candy like you showed pictures of in the Easy Video article, including Prince of Thieves and Dick Tracy trading cards, as well as some decade+ old DC comics and Image comics cards. I think I may have to go back out to the store sometime and snap a few pics to share.

It is indeed a sad time when stores like that can’t stay open. Where else will nostalgia junkies like us get our fixes from? At least we’ll always have X-E…

Is that store near you that sold you the Bubble Gum Hi-C of Doom still around? Hopefully it hasn’t met the same fate, for wherever would you find fake cat piss without it?

There’s a ton of old shit there. I’m pretty sure it’s a front for something… it’s been there for over 25 years.

I live in the middle of nowhere…I rent movies at convienience stores…therefore, I can only rent NEW RELEASES- So, when I get a hankering for "Weekend at Bernie’s" or "WarGames", there’s NOTHING I can do….nothing.

This is probably the reason for my ridiulously large video/dvd collection…I need to satisfy those cravings.

Hmm…I’ll wager that the LEGO add is for the new Exo Force line? That’s the only LEGO thing I could think of that would fit with a Transformers theme.

Threnodaemis - I didn’t know there were any other Virginians around. Cool. I’m in VA Beach.

I can totally sympathize with your pain. I’ve gotten to the point where I just assume that any place that satisifies my inner dork is living on borrowed time because, really, there can’t be enough people like me to keep a store in business. That’s especially true since I can’t bring junk into the house the way I could when I was single (well, I could, but I LIKE being married.) Incidentally, the first place I ever found remotely like that is still around. It’s near my grandmother’s house and it’s aptly named "The Junk Shop". I was probably about 12 when I went in there and it has everything from old store stock to the stuff people brought in because it didn’t sell at their yard sales. I bought a Jordache doll there (because it was MIB. The joke’s on me because it turns out that no one wants those things.) My sister got an unopened Get-A-Long Gang toy, which she promptly took out and enjoyed the way a toy was meant to. I never get to go anymore because my visits to Grandma’s are usually rushed day trips, plus you’re never really sure when the place will be open since the guy who owns it is a retired guy who opens it based on the way he feels that day and stays open until he feels like going home (I think it’s always open on Saturdays though.) Anyway, that’s my little shout-out to you, Junk Shop! Thanks for giving me my first rush of finding old items still for sale. You’ll always hold a special place in my heart.

Here in my town, we too had a "one-stop shop" video store. The local Video One store here had several locations but each one was unique. The one in close proximity to me was very similar to your mom and pop place. They sold various movie/game promotion food and novelties. I can remember buying several transfomers there along with enough TMNT candies to rot all my teeth several times over. Unlike your place Matt, Video One still exists but mostly as the one-stop shop for bad porno and stale popcorn. After reading the old article, I might have to venture over there to see if they still have any fhe Transfomers episodes.

RIP EZ V

My local one has been having their liquidation sale for months already, but the prices are still ridick.
Norb, call me crazy, but don’t Advent calendars only countdown through 12/24?

We have a small mom & pop video store here that still has SNES games available for rent.

They would have gone under when a Movie Gallery opened nearby, if not for a clever trick up their sleeves.

You see, the little video store that could is also the town’s only… ice cream parlor! Yep, it’s an ice cream parlor/video store, which sounds odd at first but it works really well. And it’s right by my doctor’s office so when I was a kid and had to go to the doctor my mom would sometimes have sympathy on me and rent me a game (and sometimes I’d get an ice cream cone if I wasn’t too sick to eat it.) All video stores should be like this.

Am I the only one who cannot get the Unicron theme song to work? The link takes me to the home page…

In a post-apocolyptic world, the prophecy has fortold one who will rise above the slums of Old Woodbridge and bring forth a new era. This is his story - the names have been changed to protect the funky.

Speaking of Chocodiles, they were referenced in 2 different American Dad episodes!

The Pilot, as well as the episode that aired on 1/8 (which references the pilot)

Hi Lori! Nice to talk to someone from the Beach. I live in Hampton, myself. My wife (and most of my friends) just so happen to either be from or still live in VA Beach.

sorry to hear about the closing of the video store.. - i remember that particular article fondly, and thought that place seemed amazing.. - i too, am much akin to you.. in that i also have many obscure places in my general area that are fond to me.. - there’s this toy store called johnny’s toys that against all the big competiton has remained opened since the 80’s.. - it even has a castle inside it.. and when you’re a kid you receive a key on your birthday in the mail and get to take it to the castle and go inside and receive a free present.. - rad, eh? - we have a couple hostess bakery thriftshops nearby, too.. that i adore.. - we’re really dorky..

I used to rent movies out of the ultimate Mom & Pop video store… a friggin’ caboose. That’s right, it was a little red caboose filled with videotapes and other forgotten items. There also used to be another one down the street, but both of them are long gone now. I think it was replaced by a Chinese take-out place or maybe a Cassano’s pizza joint.

I miss being able to rent a ton of old horror movies and bringing them back a week or so later. The only place where I can do that now is the library, but they don’t really have the same type of selection. You’ll find a few rare gems every once in a while, though.

sorry about going WAY off topic, but my superstitions are forcing me:
HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!

Muppet Baby: "Weekend at Bernie’s" or "WarGames", there’s NOTHING I can do….nothing

Forget Weekend at Bernie’s, the sequel is much better. Come on - he frickin’ walks when there’s Carribian music playing!

I’m a former employee of a sort of "mom and pop" video store–it is called Hometown Video–and it has 4 locations–Little Egg Harbor, Atco, Hammonton, and Sicklerville, all in New Jersey.

I worked at the Little Egg Harbor one (2 minutes from my house). My boyfriend lives within minutes of the Atco one (he lives in Atco), and is within ten minutes of the Hammonton one. I think he lives 20 minutes from the Sicklerville one.

Hometown always had the best Category section (movies out in excess of 1 year). Many of the oldest videos still had their original picture boxes (indicating that they were at least 20 years old). But, we all know what happens to really old videos with original pictures boxes–they break. The store I worked at boasted a GREAT Comedy Section (honestly, we were told it was the best of the 3 video stores in town). however, inactivity with rentals forced some of the "classics" off the shelves and into the $4.99 bin (where good videos go to die). Of course, some of the rediculous action, drama, thriller, and Adult Dramas belong in that bin. I bet the ones that were there in May 2005 (when I left) are still there.

The worst thing about working in the only video store in town that boasts an adult section is the type of people you get there. Honestly–there was a guy who returned all 4 of his videos with…well…you know…on them. Yuck. Draw your own conclusion. We also used to get pervs that I swore were staring at my chest when I checked out the videos (come on, what was there to see–I had on a green long sleeved t-shirt that wasn’t skin tight). Wait till you get home to stare at boobs.

I honestly don’t care much for the Woodbridge Mall as much as I do the Menlo Park Mall. I live around 90 minutes from these malls, so going to them is a treat in itself (much better than the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing or–gasp–the Shore Mall in Pleasantville/Northfield–I don’t know which town, all I know is that its off Exit 37 on GSP Parkway South).

However, I heard the Shore Mall is getting renovated (a project they actually started ten years ago that never quite got finished).

Jazzy, that is REALLY cool! SNES Games?! Man, I’d line up for that, except I moved over to the dark side and bought a Game Cube last year. Which reminds me, did you see my post about how my boyfriend acquired a DDR Mario Mix for me? He won a brand new one on Ebay (it was sealed up and everything), for the exact store sale price. It’s great–lots of fun.

A store w/all vintage videos wouldn’t last long anywhere, unless, of course, we all lived in the same town. Most of us live in the same area (NY/NJ/PA), but some of you are spread out from us. We all need some sweet, precious, dated, scary closing logos!!!!!!!!!!! I did find a video with the crazy spinning Embassy "E" two years ago–I think it was the main reason I rented the video. It was the sequel to the 1979 version of "Amityville Horror."

The only things I’ve got here close to the mythic stores are a couple of second-hand shops, one has some tapes from close-outs when we did have local run video stores. The other is run by the owners of a mini storage who, about once a month, have a "Warehouse Sale" derived from having to sell off items from people who couldn’t keep up the storage payments. Those tapes are mostly recorded off cable & satellite, so there must be some great old ads and closing logos there. I’m still searching for the final fate of Melting Grimace. If for no other reason, to ensure that the ad is far, far away from me. Wikipedia has a entry about the DiC logo and related "scary" logos. People were actually scared of the Screen Gems and old Viacom logos? Could be some kind of primal trigger.

You guys gotta see this. Christopher Walken has a presidential campaign website set up. Of course, it includes some photos of him in all his creepy-looking glory.

I think the Viacom "V of Doom" should be shown on TV as sort of a subliminal message to scare people with. I saw the funny video where the mythical "V of Doom" zooms in and out. As for the Screen Gems "S from Hell," can’t begin to fathom why ANYONE was scared of that.

You think about it–people our age practically had panic attacks at the site of "DiC" and the Embassy "Crazy Spinning E." I almost had one in college two years ago when I was startled by the "Crazy Spinning E."

…and my unofficial naming of Embassy "Crazy Spinning E." Anyone have any other suggestions for closing logo nicknames?????

For some very detailed descriptions of all your fave (and not-so-fave) closing logos

I don’t go to the video stores much anymore due to the fact that I live near 3 places that sale used DVD’s very cheaply (plus I got HBO). I find I just don’t need to rent anything anymore.

The other day, I went into Used DVD/CD and Hobby shop for the first time and it’s REALLY cool. For example, they sale old toys He-Man figures in the package. I even saw something called an "Orko Egg." that had something to do with He-Man. It looked strange. I didn’t buy anything this time, but it’s DEFINATELY on my "must visit often." list.

EEEWWww! Orko Egg!
Little Brother still has an original rip-cord Orko somewhere. He got it just because of the rip-cord action. We knocked over many action figures with the little bugger.

My parents owned what I am assuming was an amazingly similar video store when I was in high school. We never had DVD’s. And up until they closed it in 2001 they still rented out NES games and systems. The last time I went there I grabbed Goonies and Real Genius, cause I had watched those two so much, they just kinda felt like mine anyway. Had I known the new owners were going to turn it into a Mexican food store, I woulda taken much much more.
Anyone in the Seattle area should check out Scarecrow Video, being as seattleites are, I can’t see it closing soon.

Completely off topic but I just got a new General Veers figure and he has removable at-at commander armor! That’s right, it’s removable and it looks perfect on him. The helmet on mine was a little squished so I guess I’ll just have to get a second one. His blaster also fits in the holster. Click my name for a pick of the figure and the rest of the figures from his assortment.

What is and where is this Zern’s you speak of? A store with unopened 80s goodness may neccessitate a road trip in the Land Shark.

Every city seems to have that one kick-ass video store that gets shut down and makes everyone sad. There used to be a place called The Video Zone a few blocks from my house, and I swear to God you could find any movie you could ever possibly think of there. It closed in the mid ’90s, during the period of time when Blockbuster owned everyone’s soul. Thank God for Netflix.

Matt, you don’t live too far from me. There is another easy video in ramsey that was relatively ghetto last time i was there.

But there is now a store open in clifton run by the digitalpress guy and it deals with all vintage video games as well new games. But there are piles and piles of NES, atari, snes, genesis, etc games. The prices are reasonable too, I spent $17 and got 5 games

Hey, Modern Day Pirates, you live about 2-2 1/2 hours from me–I live all the way down in southern Ocean County, in Little Egg Harbor (NOT Egg Harbor, that’s in Atlantic County!).

In my town, we have Hometown (the place I worked at and still on occassion go–I don’t rent as much as I used to–maybe I should start), Easy Video (not sure if its connected to the store in Woodbridge, though the sign is similar)–the selection there is crappy as all hell, and Blockbuster–a really crappy one at that. Everything is on DVD (no videos for these clowns)–I swear they don’t know their old movies, and their Category Comedy section sucks sucks sucks!

I heard the Easy Video is going to lose its lease (if it hasn’t already) and will be closing. Its still standing so I’m not sure if its closing–its in the same shopping center as Acme.

Blockbuster is a quick ride down the street from them on Route 9 South (that’s if you make the left out of the Acme shopping center).

Hometown is on Mathistown Road, but the location is so central to the people living in the nearby neighborhoods. Unfortunately, it attracts the dirtbag kids–there was some video game theft last spring when I was there. My former boss (and Italian lady) busted the little dirtbags. And the stink bombs in the drop slot–oh man, some 6-year olds were launching these down the outside drop slot, then they would curse and say "I hate you!" in the slot. Someone even managed to shove 4 tiny kittens down the slot. It’s not an overly wide slot, so I can’t imagine how they did it, but needless to say, some dirtbag managed.

And some kid who was about 6 to 8 years old saw me checking around the store, and says to me rather nastily "What are you looking at?" when I checked the table he was at–I don’t trust kids, and this one was hanging around the Pre-Viewed VHS Sale Table, looking suspicious.

Can you believe how dirtbaggish these kids are??? They make me so angry when they snap at you–worse than the adult customers. I’m glad I left last May while I still had some sanity left. I worked there for two years–my sanity was walking on a tightrope without a net by then.

Customers used to threaten me that they wouldn’t come back by saying "I’M GOING TO BLOCKBUSTER!"

And, my boyfriend called the Blockbuster in town to see if they had "Opportunity Knocks," which we wanted to rent (gotta have a little Dana Carvey in your life), but when we went in a few months later, they said they didn’t have it. Way to change your story, morons!!!

God Matt, I feel your pain, too. Wildwood’s gone on this huge demolition spree. I passed by the big old Shore Theater as it was being demolished a few days ago, and I mentioned the fire that claimed Sam’s Pizza and the hotel behind it in an entry last month.

There was a mom and pop video store in Wildwood, but it shut down a month after I moved here and was demolished a year later, so I never really got to explore it. The Blockbuster here is pretty cool - yeah, their comedy section leaves something to be desired, but they do have a kick-ass selection of cartoons. I’ve picked up everything from The Real Ghostbusters to Barbie and the Rockers to She-Ra and old-school Strawberry Shortcake from there.

Wildwood aside, Mom and Pop video stores still flourish in this area - there’s one in North Cape May that knows my whole family on sight, and there’s a pretty good-sized one in the Villas.

Allison, the Hamilton Mall is the only decent mall within driving distance of my current apartment in Wildwood. (And I still need to take two busses to get there!) I’m moving to just outside of Philadelphia in less than two weeks…but the Hamilton Mall was one of the first "real" major malls I shopped in, and it still holds a lot of great childhood memories, as does the Shore Mall to a lesser degree.

Starwenn, through your posts and a few articles I’ve read, I’m really afraid to go back to Wildwood. It’s going to be painful to see what exactly has been destroyed.

TCC - Zern’s is this crazy old Farmer’s/Flea Market out in eastern PA. I haven’t been in a long time because my ex was the one that took me and I have an ungodly fear of driving places I’m unfamiliar with by myself. Course I recently realized it’s pretty much a straight road there. Last time I was there I wound up with 2 packs of He-Man gum from 1984, Eureeka’s Castle stickers, a Garbage Pail Kids Pin, and a couple books and Muppet trinkets. Lots of weird shit there. Old boxed costumes, cereal prizes, etc. I was considering going for a visit this weekend but alas, my funds are non existant.

All this talk about old TV logos made me curious. Can anyone help me on this? I’m thinking about an old TV closing logo where the guy is typing at a typewriter, the he rips the page out and throws it in the air. Whilst in the air, the page turns into an animation, then freezes when it is in the shape of the letter "C."
I believe this was parodied on "The Simpsons." If I don’t figure this out, I may die. Help!

Any idea what movie Matt reviewed at the end of the original article on his beloved store? I remember reading the article the first time, but for the life of my can’t remember the review that followed it up. Thanks!

Thorzuul,
The logo of which you speak appeared at the end of television programs produced by Stephen J. Cannell’s production company. Cannell worked on a variety of different television shows ranging from "The A-Team" to "The Greatest American Hero" to "21 Jump Street" to "The Commish". Quality shows, all.

Ooh I can still answer one thing, the episode that parodied it was "The Front" where Bart and Lisa use grandpa’s name to make Itchy and Scratchy toons.

I searched for it, I spent 5 minutes searching for a movie review about an ET/MAC and Me rip-off. LOL.

Oh man I miss our Easy Video so much. They revamped the town center here in Plainsboro, NJ and stuck a Blockbuster right on the main street. Easy Video hung on for a year or so after Blockbuster went up but closed when they realized they could not compete. I agree in that their selection was amazing. Many of my friends worked there in highschool and we got to know the owners very well. It will be missed

Matt, that’s one of the (myriad) reasons I’m moving. There are places I won’t go in Wildwood anymore because the empty spots where familiar landmarks used to stand are just too painful.

I’m a lifetime Woodbridge resident and I feel your pain. It was a huge loss. Places like hostess and easy are becoming totally extinct in favor of places where you won’t find anything old and cool. Remember the old Route 1 flea market? Obliterated by the Loews theaters!

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