Vidiots video store returns with 60,000 movies available in Blu-ray, DVD and even VHS tape

EAGLE ROCK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Vidiots, the retro video store that shut down in 2017, has returned in Eagle Rock with 60,000 movies available for rent in Blu-ray, DVD and VHS.

It has been a triumphant return for the nonprofit that offers cinephiles and casual movie fans a collection of movies more than twice as large as all the streamers combined.

"There are 60 thousand movies in this room. All the major streamers right now combined are about a third of the collection that we have here," said Director of Partnerships for the Vidiots Foundation, Barbara Twist.

The store shuttered its doors at its old Santa Monica location more than five years ago due to financial hardships. But they are back, bigger and better than ever, at a location that has a unique history of its own.

"This building was opened in 1929, and as a movie theater it ran continuously until the year 2000. Then projectors went down and it went dark for all of that time," said Maggie Mackay, the executive director of the Vidiots Foundation.

The building was originally called Yosemite Theater, which then became the Eagle Theater. The building even had a brief stint as an adult cinema in the 1970s.

Now, the old theater has been purchased by the Vidiots Foundation, who will use it as both a movie theater and a rental store.

The foundation says that they rented out 500 titles on its opening day.

"I've seen people come away with stacks already," said Twist.

The store has families excited to share the experience of going to a store and renting a movie with kids who never once stepped foot in a Blockbuster or Hollywood Video before.

"I used to do that as a kid, and the video store experience isn't really there anymore, but (is) something we can bring back and take them to," said Doug Matheson, a father visiting Vidiots.

Emily Cook, a founding member of Vidiots, said that her cinephile son is exciting to have a one-of-a-kind movie theater and rental store throwback nearby.

"I have a teenager who's a huge cinephile who is so happy he's going to have this within walking distance," said Cook.

Visitors can rent movies for $3 and take it home with them for five days. Movie theater tickets are $12. And, prices are even cheaper if you join their membership.

Plus, if you don't have a Blu-ray or DVD player, don't worry, they have those available for rent too.

"I have a DVD player. I'm old school. I've got a whole wall of DVDs in my house," said Cook.