In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) tweeted that the Covid-19 virus was not transmittable from human to human. By March 2020, stay-at-home orders were being discussed and in some states, implemented. As large corporations like Walmart and Amazon reported record sales, many small businesses were tyrannically forced to close their doors, and some doors will be closed forever.
Family Video was founded in 1978 after Clarence Hoogland's appliance and supply business was passed down to his son, Charlie who took a gamble on movie rentals. The family business grew to over 500 Family Video stores, some fitness centers, and other business adventures. From the high demand for streaming services, lack of new movie releases, to the limited foot traffic due to COVID-19, all Family Video brick-and-mortars are closing.
I first learned of this shocking (not really) news from Riverbender.com. The original article can be found HERE. The Riverbender contributor, Chris Rhodes highlighted the open letter Keith Hooglan presented to Family Video staff members and customers that was released on Jan. 5, 2021. As an avid movie lover myself, the last film rental giants to stand their ground has closed. Oddly enough, I called it.
"I am extremely thankful to to our employees and customers that were instrumental in Family Video's success. Without you, we would not have been the last standing in our industry." - Keith Hoogland
Here is my fond memory of my history with Family Video.
Approximately 5 years ago, I had an interview at the Wood River, IL store. I would spend an hour, or so walking up and down the aisles of different genres of film. I would read the back of the DVD box of various movies, but I was always there to rent horror movies. I rented a ton of horror flicks and through my excursions of finding the next great slasher villain, I got to know the staff and store manager reasonably well, so they encouraged me to apply for an open Sales Associate position.
I took their selection-of-the-fittest test, or whatever the hell it was, then was later interviewed by the regional manager. By the way, the test was spelling, mathematics, and some cognitive puzzles that made you feel like Family Video was founded in some type of snobbery. The regional manager and I got along for the first 20 minutes of the interview until I was highly critical of the 2014 film, The Interview, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. It was an intense shift in his mood, and it almost felt like we metaphorically locked horns like we were two majestic moose (not meeses or mooses) having an epic battle of dominance.
The tone in his voice was like I angered some type of movie demon that internally slept in the regional manager's belly. His pupils may have flickered some small flames, but I am not entirely sure. He asked me the infamous question. He leaned forward in his chair and uttered, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" I knew this question and what kind of response hiring managers want to hear, but I couldn't just say "working my way up the ranks to help Family Video grow and become more profitable."
I felt like time stood still. My internal voice was challenged by his asshole move of trying to defend The Interview as a quality comedy film. I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. My internal voice yelled, "Challenge accepted!" I leaned in and said, "Hopefully, here with Family Video." He shook his head in confusion. "That doesn't make any sense. What do you mean?"
I was dumbfounded by his response, so I continued to explain what I meant by my comment. "I mean, physical formats are in their final death rattle. New streaming services are popping up daily and people love convenience. Unless Family Video has a streaming service in development, there is a severe chance that they will have to either close a large percentage of stores or close them all. So, I would love to be here in 5 years, I just don't know if you'll be."
All he said as he stared down at his clipboard was, "Interesting response." We continued on with the interview, but I don't remember much after my adrenaline rush from what I thought was dominating him in a professional showdown. It was weird... I never got a call back for my start date. I cannot help but wonder if he is somewhere out there, thinking of our conversation. I imagine him saying after reading Keith Hoogland's open letter, "That little shit was right."