Video store in Brooklyn draws new generation of movie fans

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CBS, KYMA) - In a streaming world with endless content from apps and subscriptions, one Brooklyn video store is going old school and it's drawing a new generation of movie fans.

Night Owl Video in Brooklyn has hit rewind, bringing back VHS tapes and DVDs.

"This is the only video store left in New York City, certainly with the amount of titles that we have," said Aaron Hamel, co-owner of Night Owl Video.

With a blockbuster first year in business, the video store has sold more than 30,000 tapes and discs.

"When Blockbuster was at its height, you know, people were renting movies like crazy. Now, it is definitely much more of a niche thing, but growing," Hamel shared.

When asked who are the store's typical customers seen walking through the door, Hamel said, "The younger generation, 25 and under, they've been a really much larger customer base than I sort of anticipated...I remember asking a Gen Z customer why VHS, what's the interest? And they just said very point blank, 'It's just a thing that works.'"

On the afternoon, dozens of people came into the store, searching through bins, finding inspiration from cover art, and chatting with fellow customers about recommendations, creating community.

"I come here almost every week to get something new...watching a film is such a solitary experience and being around a bunch of like-minded people who want to pick things off the shelf perhaps strike up a conversation is really nice," said Thomas Youssef, a customer.

Customers also seemed to share a frustration over too many apps and too many fees, and the store's slogan is "Death to streamers...physical media forever."

"That is born out of the costs are rising and the selection is dwindling on streaming," Hamel expressed. "Disney+ seems like costs have gone up multiple times every year for the past several years. Netflix is the same way. They're adding ads."

Hamel says the store has films you can't find on apps, sourcing thousands of titles through trade-ins and hunting online.

When also asked if people are coming in more for the newer releases or for the classics, Hamel said, "They want a lot of the classics. I mean, 'Clueless' is something that we can rarely keep in stock. 'The Matrix' on DVD, which I remember me and all my friends had a copy of that DVD. It was everywhere and it still sells very well."

While the movies may be old school, co-owner Jess Mills says the social scene is what's really reeling people.

"Apps can't beat the real experience of getting someone's in-person recommendation," Mills remarked.