It’s a wrap for Network Video Sutherland proprietor Con Mihopoulos who is shutting up shop after 21 years in the movie rental business.
During that time his video rental shop on the corner of Eton and Boyle streets has been Sutherland’s other entertainment centre, the place where people came for the latest in Hollywood entertainment.
Action, comedy and horror, Con has provided it all.
But changing customer habits and his own family commitments have brought on his decision to close his doors at the end of the month.
“I was looking forward to staying an extra year but my father, Jim, passed away three months ago aged 95 and my 91-year-old mother, Maria is now on her own so I’ve decided to retire and look after her,” Con said.
Before joining the movie rental business, Con was employed in the dredging industry, working on the third runway at Sydney airport.
“When that finished I managed a friend’s movie rental shop at Engadine and when this shop came up for sale, I bought it.”
Con opened his video shop on July 1, 1995 which he is run with the help of his assistant Michelle.
“Beta tapes were finishing and VHS was coming in. Since then I’ve seen a lot of changes in Sutherland. There are lots of units going up like mushrooms. They have improved the town centre with new gardens beds and footpaths. The only thing that hasn’t improved is the parking.There are more people but no more parking.”
But tastes in entertainment have remained consistent over the years.
“The most popular films are action and comedy, followed by horror. There’s a few customers who walk out if I don’t have any new horror,” Con said.
“The most consistently popular movie over the past 21 years has been The Shawshank Redemption. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest also still rents strongly.
“But the main rental is action. Men like their action films, ladies like their romantic comedies.
The arrival of the new Star Wars movie generated a lot of interest.
“Lately, what does well are the Marvel Comics movies such as X-Men Apocalypse. It’s the special effects.
“Kids tastes haven’t changed. They love animation which always has done well.
Recently, The Jungle Book has been popular, plus Angry Birds.”
What has changed is the way that people watch movies with the arrival of streaming.
“They have killed the industry,’’ he said.
“The movie rental industry used to employ 30,000 to 40,000 people across Australia.
“Every suburb had at least three video stores. Now, from her to Cronulla there is nothing.”
It’s not just new technology that has killed the business, but it’s people’s habits.
“I notice we are getting a little big lazy. We like to stay at home and push the button. We even order our food from home.”
Over the years his shop has been a community meeting place.
“In the old days families would come into the shop on Friday and Saturday nights with the kids in pyjamas and choose a movie, pick up some fish and chips around the corner and go home for a movie night. But not anymore.”
Con particularly wants to thank his assistant, Michelle, who has worked at the shop even longer than he has.
“I also want to thank all my casuals who have worked here over the years and all my customers.
They are all my friends. Without them I wouldn’t have been her for 21 years. I will miss them a lot. I look back over the years and I can see their faces.”
Con launches his closing down sale today and his shop closes on October 25.
