Melbourne’s last DVD rental store, Picture Search Video, still going strong

Melbourne’s last DVD rental store is holding the line against streaming services and has kept its head above water long enough to see the beginnings of a nostalgia-led swing back to physical media.

Customers visiting Derek de Vreugt’s DVD and video store often compare the experience to that of stepping on to the set of iconic sitcom Black Books starring Dylan Moran.

“And that’s even before they meet the grumpy owner,’’ de Vreugt says.

De Vreugt runs the Picture Search Video store, three levels crammed with DVDs, VHS and records on Swan St, Richmond. It’s the last DVD and video rental store in Melbourne, a claim to fame de Vreugt is pretty relaxed about.

“I’m not trying to keep this accessible to people just for entertainment, but also because there is meaning in movies and this has become a fairly significant reference library,’’ he says.

The wonder of movies clearly has the owner in its thrall – and he wants people to share his rich and varied collection and discover hidden celluloid gems. And despite a worldwide shift to streaming, there is still a demand.

“DVD hiring has been in a steady decline, and perhaps Covid accelerated people watching streaming services from home,” de Vreugt says.

“Having reached a plateau, though, there seems to be a slight but steady increase in hires and sales of DVDs.’’

Derek de Vreugt with store cat Wombat. Picture: David Caird

Picture Search Video is a staple of Swan St. Picture: David Caird

Customers say that rising costs of streaming, more advertising and the endless search for something to watch leads them to his door.

Not surprisingly he doesn’t have any streaming services.

Video hire is now so retro that a full-scale replica of a 1990s video store features as an art installation at an Immigration Museum exhibition.

The Picture Search premises has 40,000 DVD titles and 2000 VHS titles but it’s another old style medium that has kept the business going.

“It’s just as well I started selling vinyl records – new and used – over 10 years ago,” de Vreugt says.

“As streaming services started getting into every household over time, I decided to squeeze in a section in this cramped shop to sell music to supplement income, and it’s just as well I did – I wouldn’t be paying the rent without record sales. All generations are buying records, they’re back in fashion, or for a younger generation ‘vinyls’ are in fashion.”

He notes that 10 years ago, people asked for “records” now it’s “vinyls”.

“Stephen Fry would probably tell you that we have to ‘suck it up’ because language changes, otherwise we wouldn’t be using Shakespeare’s invented words, and English wouldn’t be as rich a language.”

Previously Swan Video, de Vreugt took over the shop in 2000, after careers as a postie and bank employee.

“I’m trying everything to keep this range of titles going so the people of greater Melbourne have access to a particular movie.

“The lack of access to particular older titles probably explains why cinemas have retro screenings and these sell out.”

The store boasts 40,000 DVD titles. Picture: David Caird

De Vreugt recalls going to see Ben Hur at the Astor Cinema as a community experience.

“I was proud of all of us who filed back in after intermission to again pack out the cinema – we were in it together.”

Many customers come looking for rare movies or maybe old titles that never made the transition from VHS to DVD.

“Every day I get customers saying they can’t find one of our titles anywhere else.

“When you want something that’s not exclusive to streaming, we may have it.

“While people come in for a movie by a particular director or with a particular actor, they also enjoy browsing and getting something else they can’t find or something unexpected for their five for $10.’’

Not completely locked in the past, de Vreugt has embraced social media, with Facebook and Instagram.

“Now we have an internet presence, some people come in just to see the cat. They say ‘Where’s Wombat? Some people do just come in to have a look at the last video rental store, and the wooden frontage and shelving adds to the atmosphere.’’

Some locals drop in just to visit Wombat. Picture: David Caird

Rare movies or old titles that never made the transition from VHS to DVD are among the most popular items in store. Picture: David Caird

To make a few more dollars, a “garage sale” is held in the car park about once every six months.

“It’s to get rid of superfluous DVD stock, and to find a home for average VHS titles that might otherwise go to landfill,” de Vreugt says.

“VHS are not popular, but there are collectors for everything.

“It’s harder to find a working VCR to play them – collectors want to get spare video players, in case the one they have stops working.’’

As for his favourite films, he struggles to find an answer. “Well, that’s like asking ‘What’s your favourite album?’’’

But then he starts, firstly with his Australian choices.

“In preference, it would be Wake in Fright, Love Serenade, Walkabout or High Tide.

“Almost anything with Paul Newman, or by directors Ken Loach, Aki Kaurismaki and Abbas Kiarostami.

“There is one I’ve seen 50 times — Withnail And I, with Richard E Grant. When it was released (in 1987), I took a housemate to see it immediately. Each time I watch it I get something else out of it — a great comedy drama.’’

De Vreugt also wonders if the appeal of older formats has something to do with the process of playing a DVD or video.

“Like putting on a CD and a record, perhaps the ceremony of putting in a disc, makes you appreciate it more. And hopefully watching a movie in better resolution and audio, it’s more of an event – and you don’t get advertising.’’

Originally published as Melbourne’s last DVD rental store, Picture Search Video, still going strong