If one were to ride around Murfreesboro, the lack of video rental stores, such as Hollywood Video and Blockbuster, are quite apparent. Just as time changes, so does technology. 

Video rental shops are starting to be replaced by almost 110 Redbox locations between Murfreesboro and Nashville. Redbox can be found at local gas stations, McDonald’s and even inside of Wal-Mart. Redbox is simply a vending machine full of the latest films. This is convenient for customers because it is quick and easy, but rental options can be limited.

“I used to rent movies all the time, but Redbox just doesn’t have the movies that I want,” says Latavia Morrison, a Middle Tennessee State University student.

Netflix is another way customers can rent films. Logging on to the Netflix website, one can actually choose to stream the rental through the computer or wait for a physical copy to arrive in the mail.

Although national chain rental shops seem to be deteriorating, local independent store Video Culture has remained open and have seen an increase in customers since the closing of area Hollywood Video and Blockbuster locations.

“Most of our customers come in looking for foreign films and documentaries,” says Byron Cumbie, owner of Video Culture. Walking into Video Culture is like walking into a candy store for film addicts. There are large amounts of documentaries and foreign films as well as the latest features. The store has been open for almost 15 years and doesn’t plan on going anywhere.

They have an unlimited membership, three-day rentals and new releases that are the same price as older films, a single dollar a day. With the way technology is going, will people prefer the speediness and convenience of Internet and vending machine rentals or the personal service that only video rental shops can provide?

Only time will tell.