Wild and Woolly Video closing sale underway
LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Monday kicked off the liquidation sale at an iconic video rental store in the heart of Louisville's Highlands neighborhood.
After nearly two decades in business, Wild and Woolly Video is gearing up to close its doors for good in less than two months. Before that can happen, everything must go.
Before the doors could be unlocked Monday, John Walker had already arrived from Jeffersonville eager to salvage movies and memories.
"It's the best video store ever," said Walker. "I'd like rent movies from here and watch them at my mom's house, stay up all night and not go to school the next day."
Long lines outside quickly became long lines inside.
"Today is like the beginning of the real sale," said Todd Brashear, Wild and Woolly Video Owner.
When Brashear opened the store back in 1997, he said the video rental industry had been booming. Fast forward 17 years, and he said that's no longer the case.
"The video world has changed," said Brashear. "People just use Netflix streaming and all those other things, you know."
As such, on the independent business owner's 18th anniversary in March, his piece of Highlands history will roll credits for the final time.
"If I was still making the same money I made, I don't know, I would say seven or eight years ago, I'd probably stick with it," said Brashear. "I'm going to study to be a pilates teacher."
While a decline in the video rental industry coupled with a desire to take on a new profession is leading this Highlands staple to close, the Louisville Independent Business Association is doing its part to ensure independent business in general continues to thrive on either side of the Ohio River.
Monday LIBA gifted a $1,000 shopping spree to their Shift Your Shopping contest winner, Sherry Mercer, of Clarksville. After submitting receipts from holiday purchases at local restaurants and businesses, Mercer already had a list of nearly a dozen local places she planned to spend her grand prize.
"The Keg and Feeder's Supply, Louisville Originals, Cellar Door, Louvino, Paul's, Sister Dragon Fly, New Albanian and Dragon King's Daughter," said Mercer. "These are all places we go to all the time."
As Brashear prepared to close up his shop, he said the building, on the other hand, would not necessarily sit empty.
"There's a lot of interest in it," said Brashear. "I'm going to rent it out to somebody."
That could allow independent business to continue to thrive as Wild and Woolly Video moved out and the next Highlands hot spot moved in.
While rentals will continue through March 15, Wild and Woolly will close its doors for good at the end of business on March 23.
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