Rotorua's last video store Video Ezy Rotorua West to close

Dale Mudgeway and Tashiana Kyle are sad to see Rotorua's last video store close. Photo / Stephen Parker

There's a few rest home residents in Rotorua schooling themselves on how to use Netflix as the city's last movie rental store gets set to shut its doors this month.

Video Ezy Rotorua West will serve its last customers on January 31 but, in spite of what many may suspect, it's not because no-one watches videos or DVDs any more.

Store manager Tashiana Kyle said the Auckland-based owner of the business lost her husband earlier this year and had found running the store a bit tough.

"That, coupled with the fact the building lease is due to expire and the owner is reluctant to commit to a lengthy term, means the doors will close," Kyle said.

"She did look at relocating the store but there wasn't anything that appeared to fit what she was looking for."

Kyle believed Video Ezy Rotorua West still had a good couple of years in it before technology would force closure.

"Without a doubt there has been a decline in the number of people hiring movies over the past few years, but we still had our regulars here and they're devastated we are closing."

Kyle said residents from one of the rest homes came in weekly for movies and had expressed their dismay the store was closing.

"They've asked us what they do and, apart from the few movies available from the library or buying them from The Warehouse, there's not a lot we can suggest.

"There's also a lot of families who are not happy with the closure. Family members come in together, choose a movie together and go home and watch it – they've said it's good bonding time."

Former store manager of 12 years Dale Mudgway said Video Ezy Rotorua West opened in 2003 when "the video industry was booming".

"There's been some highs and lows but, right now, the Rotorua store is the No 1 Video Ezy store in the country and we're closing," he said.

Four staff were employed by the store in full-time and part-time roles.

"I've decided to go and retrain but I'll miss the store and all the regulars who have made the job great," Kyle said.