Davis-area video stores

[ron_newman]

I'm probably the last one on my block to buy a DVD player. But now that I have it, I'm interested in hearing people's opinions of local video rental stores.

It looks like we have three choices: Hollywood Express on Elm Street, West Coast Video across the street, and Blockbuster in Porter Square.
My first impressions:

Hollywood Express -- largest selection, best chance of finding something obscure

Blockbuster - very liberal rental terms: a '2 day' rental is really 9 days, a 7-day is really 14 days. A lot more foreign and independent films than I would have expected, though probably not in the same league as Hollywood Express

West Coast Video -- why is this store still in business? I don't see any obvious reason to go here.

Comments

[ron_newman]

"Hollywood Express" vs. "Hollywood Video" must cause some amount of consumer confusion -- similar name, similar logo, same line of business (though very different selection). Usually trademark law keeps this from happening, but I guess Hollywood Express was in the Boston area first, and Hollywood Video later invaded here from elsewhere.

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

I've seen this happen -- I recall a similar post to yours a few years ago, but the OP was actually saying he'd rather go to West Coast Video than the "chain" Hollywood Express. It's too bad.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

I feel dumb -- I totally thought it was some offshoot of Hollywood Video, particularly because the "Express" makes it sound like a small, extra-convenient location of the bigger store, or something like that. Well, I've been going there anyway, now I just don't have to feel guilty about it. :)

[twomonkeys.livejournal.com]

Hollywood Express started about 20 years ago, Hollywood Video sprang up (on the East Coast) in the late '90s. My only guess is that Video didn't see us as a threat to their branding.

[ron_newman]

I just looked at both your website and theirs. You started in 1987 in Porter Square. They started in 1988 as "a single store in Portland, Oregon". So, you were definitely first.