VisArt Video is a non-profit video rental store located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It holds the largest film and video collection on the East Coast of the United States, with approximately 50,000 titles.[1]
 VisArt Storefront | |
| Founded | 1985 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Focus | Video rental, History of film |
| Headquarters | 3104 Eastway Drive |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 35°12′50.01″N 80°46′56.63″W / 35.2138917°N 80.7823972°W |
| Website | visartvideo |
Collection
editVisArt's collection of VHS, DVD and Blu-ray includes approximately 50,000 titles.[1] The collection includes rare titles, particularly VHS, and at one point included one of the four known copies of Spike Lee's college dissertation.[2]
History
editVisArt began in 1985 in Durham, North Carolina. By 2010 VisArt was the last remaining video rental store in Charlotte, North Carolina, when Mickey Aberman became a co-owner. In 2015 VisArt moved from its original 7th Street location to its current location in Eastway Crossing plaza and later expanded to include a 50-person indoor theater for screenings.[1] In 2016 Aberman became the sole owner. Following the model of video rental stores like Movie Madness, Scarecrow Video, and Vidiots, VisArt began the process of converting to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2018 and completed the process in January 2021.[1][2]
VisArt was the recipient of a $40,000 grant from Charlotte Center City Partners and Honeywell to install a garage door between their exterior wall and the neighboring establishment's patio in order to expand their theater to accommodate outdoor seating.[3]
See also
edit- Movie Madness Video in Portland, Oregon
- Scarecrow Video in Seattle, Washington
References
edit- ^ a b c d Smith, Andy (9 April 2020). "Inside VisArt Video's Evolution to Nonprofit". Charlotte Magazine. Morris Media Network. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ a b Leonard, Charlie. "VisArt aims to strengthen film community while championing small business development in East Charlotte". CLTure. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ Valade, Jodie (13 February 2021). "VisArt Keeps Afloat As A Nonprofit With Microcinema And Plans For Outdoor Merger". WFAE. Retrieved 13 February 2022.