West Coast Video
| File:WestCoastVideoLogo.jpg | |
| Industry | Video rental shop |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Fate | Liquidation |
| Headquarters | Langhorne, Pennsylvania, United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, Peru |
| Products | Retailing and renting of DVDs and video games |
| Parent | Medical Products Laboratories |
| Website | WestCoastVideo.com (Archived Version) |
West Coast Video was a video rental enterprise established in 1983 and ultimately dissolved in 2009. Although some outlets continued independently under the same name, by 2024 there are no operational West Coast Video stores remaining across North America.
1980s: Founding, acquisitions, and growth
Elliot Stone launched the inaugural West Coast Video location in Northeast Philadelphia in 1983, quickly expanding to four stores within a few months. In September 1988, the company acquired all 455 National Video outlets, boosting its total to 660 stores and securing its position as the largest video rental chain worldwide at that period.
1990s: Economic difficulties, reorganization, and digital ventures
In 1990, West Coast Video reported revenues of $250 million and entered the Canadian marketplace by opening a store in Ottawa in 1991. However, increased competition caused revenues to fall to $120 million by the following year. The firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 1992 but managed to return to positive cash flow within half a year.
The company changed its name to West Coast Entertainment Corporation in 1993 and broadened its brand portfolio by introducing additional franchises such as GamePower Headquarters, dedicated to video games, launched in 1994. In May 1999, West Coast Video embraced digital transformation by launching online platforms including an e-commerce site for movie sales. That same year, it encountered legal disputes concerning trademark issues related to its website’s metatag usage.
2000s-present: Adoption of new media formats, decline of the chain, and independent operations
Throughout the mid-to-late 2000s, West Coast Video diversified its inventory by adding both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles amid the high-definition format competition. It also expanded into video games for seventh-generation consoles such as PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. These expansions contributed to mounting financial strain on the business. By January 2007, the number of U.S. locations had decreased to 20; continued closures throughout 2007 and 2008 reduced this figure to only nine stores by the end of 2008. The chain officially ceased operations in 2009; however, some remaining outlets retained the West Coast Video branding while functioning autonomously.
Legacy
As one of the pioneering video rental chains, West Coast Video cultivated strong community loyalty, especially at locations like Ottawa South which became a neighborhood fixture for many years. The community was deeply impacted when one such store was destroyed by arson. Prior to shutting down during the 2010s, several remaining stores adapted their business strategies by integrating hobby shops and pizzerias to create additional revenue sources.
Currently, West Coast Video exists solely in Peru as a DVD-by-mail service without any physical retail locations.
International Expansion
West Coast Video extended its reach beyond the United States, establishing locations in Canada and Curacao. Although the majority of these international outlets have since shut down, the brand continues to operate in Peru through a DVD-by-mail service.
Canada
In Canada, West Coast Video maintained stores in Ottawa and Mississauga. The Mississauga branch was acquired by Blockbuster during the mid-1990s. The Ottawa South store, which opened in 1993 near The Glebe neighborhood, provided complimentary delivery services but permanently closed following a fire in 2009; the building was subsequently demolished in 2021.
Another Canadian location was launched in Orleans, Ontario, in 1991 near the intersection of Fortune and Orleans. This store was noted for its extensive selection, including specialty titles and a discreet adult section. It encountered strong competition from nearby Rogers Plus and Jumbo Video stores. Due to these competitive challenges, pricing was reduced before the store ultimately ceased operations by the late 2000s. The property was later converted into the Fortune Professional Centre, with tenants such as Convent Glen Dental Centre leasing space beginning in 2010.
Peru
In Peru, West Coast Video continues its presence by offering a countrywide DVD-by-mail service, demonstrating an adaptation of its business approach toward digital distribution on an international scale.