Regular readers will know how we feel about national chains: food, coffee, clothing, whatever. By focusing on “top sellers”, they destroy diversity. If you’re a movie buff, you’re lucky to have Scarecrow Video (5030 Roosevelt Way NE), one of the largest independent video stores in the country, in strolling distance. And we’re lucky to have them as our newest sponsor.
There’s a million things we love about Scarecrow, but let’s take one obvious one: their main section is organized by director, rather than alphabetical by title. Why does this make sense? Well, ask yourself: when was the last time you said “Gosh, I usually like movies that start with R, so I’ll go have a look in the R’s and see if there’s anything I want to watch”? Never. Never was the last time you said that.
Instead, you probably say something like “Gosh, I really liked The African Queen, but I’ve already seen it. I wonder if there’s anything else by the same director that I haven’t seen.” Brilliant.
And their collection really is enormous: over 100,000 titles in stock and growing all the time, including a ton of rare, out-of-print, foreign and independent films not available in mainstream stores. You can even search their rental database on-line.
So, if you’re a movie buff, or if you’re just tired of watching the same old Hollywood blockbusters, Scarecrow is something of a no-brainer.
And there’s no Scarecrow chain. There’s one shop, locally owned, and it’s right nearby. That’s what we like.
Get your flicks (and music picks) on (Metro) Route 66!
(That part of Roosevelt is 98105, like the groovy east end of Wallyford)
Scarecrow’s inventory is absolutely amazing. I know film geeks (err, buffs) who used to fly in from Chicago just to rent and watch rare VHS tapes and laserdiscs from Scarecrow.
And the Psychotronic section… you expect to find Quentin Tarintino living there.
It is truly the best video store in the history of the world. I don’t know how many things you can honestly say that about. Like the way Powell’s in Portland is the best bookstore — that’s a matter of opinion. Scarecrow is objectively head and shoulders above everybody else. We should be proud to have them in our neighborhood (sort of).
That’s a great analogy, Fnarf. I need to start calling Scarecrow “The Powells Books of video stores.”