Last video store in SLO County is closing: ‘Thank you for supporting me for 30 years’
Central Coast movie lovers have reached the end of an era.
The last video store in San Luis Obispo County will close this spring after more than three decades in business.
The final John’s Video Palace location in Woodland Plaza on Niblick Road in Paso Robles will shut its doors on April 11, owner John Taft told The Tribune on Tuesday.
“I’ve had my 32 years, and I’m happy,” Taft said.
Taft opened his Atascadero store in July 1988 and kept his North County businesses alive through the years with quality customer service and fun touches — like DVD covers with his face Photoshopped onto action heroes’ bodies.
He closed his Atascadero store on Christmas Day in 2019 after it failed to thrive in a new location. High rents forced Taft to leave his longtime space on El Camino Real near the Smart & Final Extra! and move to a spot down the road next to Bloom N Grow flower shop.
Taft kept the Paso Robles store open then, but he said he realizes times have changed.
When he opened his first business, there were 10 video rental stores in Atascadero. Now, he said, most people opt to stream their movies online at home rather than rent them from a store.
With money getting tight, Taft decided to close up shop before his business became completely unprofitable.
“I don’t want to keep working here to not make any money,” he said.
Now, after decades of working a grueling schedule as a small business owner, Taft and his family plan to move to Idaho for a slower pace of life, he said.
Taft said he wants a job with more regular hours that allows him to spend time with his wife and children.
As he prepares to close up his store, Taft said he’s proud to have been the only business in the area that hasn’t raised its prices in 15 years.
“Thank you for supporting me for 30 years,” Taft said of his loyal customers.
This story was originally published March 3, 2020 at 3:09 PM.
