What's going on, Albuquerque?

NM's Oldest No More

So for my Saturday morning walk, I decided to head over to Whataburger at Eubank & Candelaria for biscuits and gravy and a cup of coffee, only to discover along the way that an old friend is gone...

Businesses come and go, especially the mom and pops, but this one made me a little sad. I discovered this place almost by accident back in the mid 80's. Next door to the video store (see the blue door farthest east), there was a shop that rented PC software. It was borderline piracy. The way the owners "justified" their business was as a "try before you buy" service. Their rental agreement stated that you could install the software title during the rental period, and when the period was done, you would uninstall it and return the software. *wink wink* So I got a membership card, which was also good for the video store next door.

There was a sandwich shop on the west end of that building called Bugsys Subs. We'd often go to Bugsys and order a sandwich to go, and visit the video/software rental store. Ruben's Grill now occupies the old Bugsy's location. A good replacement.

There can't be more than one or two independent video rental stores remaining. Will NM's Oldest Video Store soon be that Hastings on Wyoming?

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Comment by Robert S. on September 29, 2009 at 6:19am: wow, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did with all the easier options for renting that exist now (Redbox being my favorite since I don't watch enough movies a month to justify netflix's monthly charge).

I remember from that area of the intersection the Dairy Queen. All that (the video store, the DQ, keller's which I"m guessing is still there) is across the street from where I used to get my haircut - a haircutter who worked in a space inside the bowling alley.

Comment by Ron Da Bomb on September 29, 2009 at 8:06am: I'm surprised they lasted so long as well. They had a ton of quirky titles, though. To be honest, I think their adult video section kept them afloat for a lot of years. I remember the DQ, now a hole in the wall sushi joint called Sushi Hama. Not bad, actually.

I was wondering at how much money I spend at this particular intersection. I frequent Ruben's, Heights Cleaners & Alterations, Sushi Hama, Kellers (yes, still there), Baum's Music (when I was a kid and now as a parent), Albertsons, Starbucks, Whataburger, the USPS, Enchanted Chocolates (the best donuts in town), Fu Yang Korean & Chinese, Annie's Soup Kitchen, BOFA...

Comment by Gerard on September 29, 2009 at 8:29am: They were around a while, I was renting and purchasing video tapes in BETA format from them! All things must change, gone the way of the typewriter and TV repair places....

Comment by Masshole in Fringecrest on September 29, 2009 at 9:06am: A BIG second for the donuts at Enchanted Chocolates. Hidden Gem. Fu Yuang rocks my world, too. Thanks for the great post.

Comment by DCMc on September 29, 2009 at 9:50am: The Cinema East Twin Theater was right across the street from Video Visions. I have so many great memories of seeing movies there when I was a kid (Poseidon Adventure, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Lenny) that I was very sad when it was closed and torn down.

I had not rented from Video Visions for a very long time (a bit too far to drive to rent and return), but it always made me happy when I drove past over the years and saw that they were still open. Let this be a reminder to us film lovers to support the few local video stores in town (like Burning Paradise) as much as we can.

Comment by Juan on September 29, 2009 at 10:11am: DCMc beat me to it, but I'll say it again. I go to Burning Paradise all the time. Not sure if its the last local video store in town, but one of the last. It specializes in cool and quirky titles, has a great international section, and also keeps up with the new releases as well. If you haven't been there, please check it, I'd hate to see ABQ lose another local video shop.

Comment by Ron Da Bomb on September 29, 2009 at 10:19am: I don't know about Burning Paradise. Location?

Comment by Debby S on September 29, 2009 at 10:26am: Cute little place just south of park where growers market held Saturday mornings in the summer and fall; info below courtesy of Google

Burning Paradise
www.burningparadise.net

800 Central Ave SW # A
Albuquerque, NM 87102-3052
(505) 244-1161

Comment by Juan on October 1, 2009 at 10:32am: Thanks Debby, plus just kicking it there for a minute and conversating with Kurly (the owner of BP) is always just as good of a time as renting the good flicks from there.

Comment by AriesSweet on August 23, 2010 at 10:57pm: I know this is an old post but maybe this walk is something to take up again? This time with a friend...random thoughts...