Gisborne Video Busters to close its doors
GISBORNE’S last remaining video shop has 25,000 movies for sale, as its owners prepare to close the doors after 16 years. Do you still have a local video store?
North West
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GISBORNE’S last video store is set to close its doors after 16 years.
Manfred and Shirley Tratter opened Video Busters on Brantome St in 2002.
Mrs Tratter has more than 26 years’ experience in movie rentals, and is now busy preparing to sell the store’s 25,000 movies and TV shows.
But she said it was the Gisborne locals she would miss the most.
“They’re going to miss us and we’re going to miss them. When people come into the store, you get to know their lives and stories. You remember the little milestones,” she said.
“We’re just a big family.”
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The years since the store’s opening have seen the rise of online streaming giants like Netflix. But Ms Tratter said online streaming didn’t build relationships like her store had.
Plenty of Gisborne Secondary College students also found their first part-time jobs at Video Busters.
“Most of the staff we’ve had part-time school kids. We’ve tried to employ local,” she said.
“They only leave us because they move onto uni. They’d love to stay.”
At this stage, the store will stay open until the end of its lease in February. Thousands of DVDs are also up for grabs.
“We still hoping to keep up the rental side of things and keep up to date with all the new releases,” she said.
“We’re still trading and selling.”
Gisborne resident and longtime patron Trish Chappell has been visiting the store since it opened.
“I love going there because they’re really friendly. They go out of their way to help and that’s never changed over the years,” she said.
“It’s just a bit disappointment that we’re losing them.”
While the store is reaching the end of an era, Ms Tratter said her love for the Gisborne community was ongoing
“We’ve just loved supporting the community. The community has definitely supported us. We’re just so grateful.”
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