Santa Monica alternative video store announces relaunch
By Sam Catanzaro
For 32 years, Vidiots served as a destination for cinema-lovers from Santa Monica and beyond, a community that was heartbroken when the video store shuttered in 2017 in the wake of rising costs, but now the company has announced that they will reopen with a nearly 10,000 square-foot storefront and independent theater in Eagle Rock set to open in 2020.
A Santa Monica brick-and-mortar film space founded and helmed by women, Vidiots was opened as an alternative video store in 1985 by L.A. natives Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber, and was seen as a one-of-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers and everyone curious about cinema. When the store closed in 2017, Vidiots was able to store its collection and devise an extensive plan for sustainable relaunch in a new home.
Vidiots’ new home will be the 90-year old, restored Eagle Theatre.
With nearly 10,000 square feet of entertainment and educational space, Vidiots will operate seven days a week and offer daily screenings and special programs, a full video store with DVD and BluRay rentals, concessions, plus a light menu with beer and wine. The main theater, which will have over 200 seats, an ample stage, a 35mm projector, DCP and state-of-the-art sound, will provide flexibility for various screenings and tastemaker events. A second, smaller screening and event space (approximately 50 seats with DCP and BluRay projection) will be ideal for screenings, workshops, and receptions.
“Vidiots is coming back and we can’t wait for all of you to be part of it! Thank you to all of our incredible supporters, customers, partners and friends!” Vidiots said in a tweet.
