The 80s video shop- A review

This weekend I was lucky enough to visit and meet the guys at the 80s Video Shop- Straight To Video  in Alfreton and what an adventure it was.

The purpose of my visit was to help with a meet and greet signing event with the American actor Charlie Schlatter.

The venue feels like a secret hidden doorway to the past , as the main store is upstairs the only thing you can see on the steps is a door covered in stickers and signs. You could easily walk past unless you know the secret ways  to enter the labyrinth itself.

The first thing you see is a stairwell with posters and video covers as wall paper. It conjoures up that feel of entering your teenage bedroom and the nostalgia vibe starts to take over. You walk in the main room and i was taken a back on how much it hit my sense memories of being a child going to the video store each week.

The wall covered in the red plastic moulded video displays and just lines and lines of videos. I used to have a very large video collection and the waves of nostalgia were so strong. Seeing those familiar video covers that always adorned my local shop… though my videos of choice as a kid was the original transformers cartoon and sadly they weren’t here.

There are arcade games to play and old standees and memorabilia dotted around. Think the only thing they didn’t have was vintage designed drink cans and sweets. It even has that older smell. … not a bad smell but just that smell video stores had.

The really cool section was a What If display. Where there were mock ups of what could have been if movies had some of the original casting and titles ; Ghoststoppers instead of Ghostbusters, Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones.

Many of the videos are display only but there is a section where you can purchase some older titles.

They also have a selection of figures / posters and socks available.

The next room is the 80s Bedroom set up. This is a fun little area which is so reminiscent of my own room … but I had a lot more videos in mine. With authentic games , toys and bed spread it really does feel again like you are a child again.

The next room is the screening room, whilst smaller it feels more intimate and that you’re at a friends house watching movies and not at the back of a shop. With more props to interact with it all adds to the fun.

This shop is a must go for any 80/90s kid who wants to take a step back and just remember the past.

The guys running it -Rob and Chris are the best hosts. They know all about the movies and the era and make you feel welcomed as you walk in. They listen to customers as they talk and it feels like a clubhouse.

I had so much fun messing about at the store and really hope I get to go back there for more in the future

Keep an eye on their socials as there are more events coming soon