It was almost a miracle how the video library in Raamsdonksveer managed to survive. For years, the branch survived as a kind of Asterix village, next to the big boys such as Netflix and Videoland. The curtain will finally fall at the end of this week. It is known to be the last video library in Brabant. “Otherwise money will have to be added,” says owner Jacco d’Haene, disappointed.
‘Nostalgic’ will say enthusiasts, ‘old-fashioned’ say critics. A visit to the video library in Raamdonksveer is a step back in time. The rows of DVDs and the carpet take you back to your youth. “Every day I rent a few DVDs,” says Jacco.
“For the customers who liked it, I held on as long as possible.”
Almost all video stores have disappeared in recent years. Streaming services such as Netflix ultimately destroyed the industry. Out of passion for the film, Jacco stubbornly persisted. “It was a hobby. A big middle finger to progress. Everyone wondered how I did it, I liked that.”
Regular customer Jack de Hoogh (50) browses the racks full of DVDs on Tuesday afternoon: “It’s nostalgia. It’s very nice to rent a DVD. There’s just something about it.”
“Unfortunately, not many DVDs are released anymore,” Jacco notes. Of course, he also understands that people nowadays no longer rent like they used to. “For the customers who liked it, I held on as long as possible.”
His father Freddy also had several video stores. “I really grew up with this,” says Jacco proudly. Freddy only stopped his last business in Dongen in 2020. He was then 74 years old.
“Renting films actually cost money.”
The secret? Do a lot of things on the side that can earn money. A lot: you can buy lottery tickets, sweets and even shoes, send money abroad and much more. “Renting films actually cost money.”
The video library remained afloat mainly due to the sale of vapes. The ban on flavored e-cigarettes since January 1 was therefore a final blow. “It feels shitty, but I knew it was coming.” And so it didn’t really work anymore. “I would prefer to continue doing this until I retire.
It is difficult to find out how many video stores there are left in the Netherlands. An active trade association no longer exists, so no figures are available. The Central Bureau of Statistics also no longer keeps figures. 2005 was the peak year for video rental stores. According to research agency Locatus, Brabant had 204 at the time. After that, the downward trend started.
“Good that I survived the rest.”
“It’s nice that I’m the last in Brabant and have survived the rest. Too bad for the rest.” The building on Keizersdijk in the center of Raamsdonksveer has already been rented out. The video store owner does not want to say yet what will happen.
Saturday is the last day it is open. What is Jacco going to do himself now? “Everyone asks me that. I have no idea yet,” he laughs. “I’m very stubborn,” he laughs. “So it will be something where I don’t have a boss above me.”
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Freddy (74) had one of the last video stores in Brabant, but it really didn’t work anymore