March 29, 2024

Playback Movies open on Elm St.

Former Video Escape reopens with new owner, new management and new titles.

The former Video Escape, a video store with an eclectic mix of movies, reopened Oct. 2 under the moniker Playback Movie Rentals.

The store, 202 N. Elm St., is now owned by Brandi Garner and co-managed by her husband Lucas Smith, both of Creston.

The business, which has changed ownership a number of times over recent years, holds a special place in Garner and Smith’s heart.

“This is the place I used to rent from when I was a kid,” Smith said.

Smith, 33, said he remembers visiting the video store at its former location on Russell Street and renting laser discs with his parents when he was six years old.

Today, Playback Movie Rentals offers about 4,000 titles on DVD, which are categorized into the following genres: family, kids, action, drama, horror, science fiction, comedy and classics.

The bankruptcy of Blockbuster and limited selection of Red Box have actually been beneficial to Garner and Smith.

Smith said it was their inability to find a new release at two Red Box rental locations in Creston that lead Garner to contact Video Escape and ultimately purchase the business when she learned it was no longer operating.

“When we went to go look at it, six people came by to see if it was open,” Smith said. “It was a good sign.”

At Playback Movie Rentals, customers can expect to pay $3 per day for a new release or $1 a day for all others. Overstock of videos are available for purchase and range from $3 a piece to four for $10, unless indicated otherwise.

Playback Movie Rentals is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, contact Playback Movies at (641) 782-2104 or find Playback Movie Rentals on Facebook.