If video killed the radio star, streaming services most definitely buried DVDs, but not for owner David Peralta, who has the last video store in Albuquerque called DVD Plus. Peralta says he still caters to the community with the physical forms of movies and music with deals as low as $1 or $2 for some DVDs and CDs.
Peralta said he has owned the store for the last decade but it was originally Video Visions for decades before then. He explained although the industry keeps on changing, he hopes to keep the store open for people who are collectors, people looking for good deals or folks who just don’t want the hassle of paying multiple streaming services and never have anything to watch.
“Some of these studios don’t even make physical copies of their films anymore and only put it online,” he said.
Although there are no plans to discontinue the long-running era of DVD and Blue-ray new releases yet, there is promise for a revival as many people have reverted to buying older forms of media such as records and VHS movies, with many artists putting out vinyl forms of their music once again. DVDs took over the movie media platform in 1997 with Blue-rays starting around 2006.
The store is named after a variant form of DVD that once offered a second side with DVD features, or a CD or ROM. And it has seen its challenges over the last decade, including the finality of offering their rental program; as of until this month the store was still offering rental services for new releases, just like Blockbuster and Hollywood Video once did. But Peralta said times really are changing, so all of their new releases will be available for sale once they’re able to phase out the rental program.
The store will soon focus on other types of movie and music memorabilia with posters and collectible tins. He said that it is tough to get the inventory now due to many companies that offer those products going out of business because of the pandemic, including the one he uses for the collectable tin posters DVD Plus stocks. Although he has to compete with a dying industry, he loves catering to his community, and it shows with stellar praises on review sites.
DVD Plus is packed to the brim with films from all genres and caters to cult classic collectors, with a modest selection of CDs and records.
Local Guide Karen Villanueva said, “So lucky to have this wonderful little shop in Albuquerque. In the age of downloads and online shopping, browsing, renting, and purchasing in-store is a nostalgic and satisfying experience. Store owner David is so knowledgeable and he keeps ‘want lists’ for regular clients and calls you when he finds items you’ve requested. Just love this place!!”
DVD Plus is nestled just east of Eubank on Candelaria NE next to Ruben’s Mexican Grill.
Their hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Masks are not mandatory but highly encouraged.
