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ONE OF DUBLIN’S most well known stores for picking up classic films, world cinema and some indie surprises is to close its doors after 25 years.
Laser DVD has been located on George’s Street for the past 22 years having been in Ranelagh for a number of years before that.
But the decline in the movie rental market and the rise of online streaming and downloads has meant that the store is now in the process of selling off its library before shutting up shop.
The store let its followers know of the news this afternoon, saying that they would like to thank customers for their support.
The store currently employs nine people with one of their longer serving staff members Peter saying that they’ve tried to fill a niche that’s been declining in recent years.
“The whole idea is that we tried to make the best film library we can,” he says. “Personally I think it’s a massive shame, even before I worked here I was a customer. There are very few film lovers who haven’t been involved with Laser at some point.”
He adds that while many of the other larger rental stores like Xtra-Vision have diversified in recent years into areas like video games and mobile phones, it was never really what Laser DVD was about.
“People who go online tend to know what exactly they’re looking for. That or they get a recommendation from someone or from a website. There’s no surprises anymore like when you shop in a store like ours, when you pick up one and then pick up another.”
The store is planning on remaining open for the next few weeks. They will not be offering a rental service but will begin the process of selling off their library of films.
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Sad news, was a good shop.
Disaster. GREAT shop.
That’s a real shame. Have fond memories of getting obscure Asian horror movies from Laser and enjoying them in a mate’s flat….. sober…. back in the late ninties. Good times. Sorry to hear they’re going.
This is a disaster! That shop is my oasis. Really upset over that
First place I found Cracker on tape all those years ago. Some absolute gems they had. It is, however, not surprising they’re closing down in this day and technological age.
They have the Internet on computers now
Yes, and soon there will be phones with screens on them!
Massive shame,I used to rent Mega Drive games from the Ranelagh shop back in the early 90′s,the staff were always great at giving tips on what films to watch as well,I hope they all get a job they’re interested in now. Thanks for the memories Laser!
Yeah so I got sad on the way home and decided to write a Laser inspired trip down memory lane, regular Laser peeps might like this http://thebestofmusicandfilm.blogspot.ie/2014/10/youll-never-see-likes-of-it-again.html
shit news. not surprised though. extra vision/ block busters went first.. er body just stream whatever films they wanna watch nowadays because of it’s undeniable convenience
Such an insightful comment Luke. You should be a journalist.
paddlin I rode yer ma up the arse last night
such an funny response. you should be a stand up comedian
Don’t you mean “such a funny response”. Your welcome in advance, any time.
You’re
yizzer
Erbody in the club just stream thur vid yo
Noooooooooooo! So sad to hear this I’m a regular customer in Laser and love a good browse in there, I’ll really miss it!
Sorry to see you go. We moved after 25 years in George’s St. Retail has changed so much. In the long run, I think the customers will be the losers. You can’t download good personal customer care & product knowledge.
Whats a DVD?
digital versatile disc
Its what people used to watch moving pictures on in olden times
DVDs are the equivalent of cassette tapes to CDs compared to Blu-ray or quality downloads.
A pity to see the end of a good retail experience, though.
I think Sternn was joking …
No its Die Video Die
People were sad when my grand fathers blacksmiths and stables in Bridge st closed 90 years ago but they got over it.
Sad. This is a bit like the movies version of Freebird records :(
“Oh its such a shame, they never diversified and were a proper video shop”
I wonder if they HAD expanded their product base and stayed around a bit longer, would people say the same thing. I’m sorry, but especially in retail, it is Adapt Or Die. HMV doesn’t just sell music and they’re surviving. Forbidden Planet doesn’t just do comics and they keep going. This crowd wanted to be snobbish about what they sold, and now they’re seeing the fruits of that policy.
Diversify like Chartbusters with their sunbeds, or Xtravision with their music CD’s, electronic equipment and range of food, that worked out well for them didn’t it? Laser outlasted both of those large chains, it wasn’t snobbish, they had Hollywood blockbusters, all of the new releases, popular tv series to rent, alongside a market they identified early on for fans of classic, foreign, anime, documentaries etc., and for the guts of 25 years it was hugely successful. They didn’t close because of Adapt or Die, they closed because online streaming and downloads have seen off dvd’s and blurays for the most part. I think your HMV point sums up your comment, in case you hadn’t noticed they went bust and closed, a new group took them over and decided to keep the brand name, the old HMV is gone. Stick to the bland apparel shops Dave.
Wow, you looked me up to see I work in a retail store. So you’ll understand that I have a pretty good idea of what I’m talking about. Otherwise, jog on lad.
Not exactly Dave, you see, it’s not the people who work in the retail store that understand retail, it’s their bosses, you just fold the clothes again after people come out of the dressing-rooms.
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