The Breakup

It was a rainy Monday morning, and I was rushing around like every other morning trying to get the kiddo to school on time.  She beat the bell and I headed back home to start another batch of our yummy pure maple candy.  That's when I got the text that changed my life. "Video headquarters is closing." Can't be true, I thought.  I was just there the other day.  In fact, I had movies to return and the next disc of 'Bones' to get.  "It's online in the Sentinel," my husband texted when I questioned his source of information.  I was devestated.  How could this be?  What am I going to do now?  I was in a panic - how will I see the rest of 'Bones' and the other tv shows coming out in the fall?  Getting cable was out of the question.  I felt as if they were breaking up with me and I didn't know whether to be angry or sad.  I think I was, in fact, a little (ok, a lot) of both.  Why didn't anyone say anything to me?  I thought I was special.  Don't they care I don't have cable?  I went in on the first day of their sale and told them how I felt, as if I was their only heartbroken customer.  "It's not you, it's us," was the reply I got.  I understand why they are closing.  With digital streaming, Netflix, Red box, etc; it was really only a matter of time before this happened. My feelings are only selfish. I know what you are thinking - what are you so distraught over? It's just a video store.  But that's where you are wrong.  Video Headquarters is so much more than a video store.  In an age where just about everything is automated or done electronically, it was nice to be able to get my dvd rentals with some personal interaction.  Video headquarters was a place where you were greeted by name when you walked through the door.   A place where they gave you their undivided attention if you had a question or even just while checking out. A place where even though you were the only one (ok, one of five) who watched a particular tv show, they would order the next season so you wouldn't be left guessing at what would happen next. A place where they would hold the next disc in a tv series for you because they knew you would be coming in for it that day, whether or not you had asked them to.  A place where they would offer the perfect suggestions when you are bored by the unoriginal movies that seem to be the trend nowadays.  A place that will be truly missed by many in our community.  So, now that I've gotten my feelings off my chest, I think I'll do what happens after every other breakup.  I'll grab a pint of Ben & Jerry's and head off to their 50% off sale to claim what's mine (and maybe cry once more).
I would like to thank everyone at Video Headquarters for their great service over the years.  We will miss you all!