Yesterday we broke the sad/bad news that Kim's Video & Music is closing at 124 First Ave. There isn't a closing date just yet (word is the store will be around another two months months). For now, there's a sale with up to 30 percent off on all video and music. Meanwhile, an unnamed source says that a few Kim's staffers are exploring a number of possibilities to keep the store open there or elsewhere in the neighborhood. That's all the source could say at the moment… other than that the employees "feel horrible" about the impending closure.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] A really bad sign outside Kim's Video & Music on First Avenue
17 comments:
The last time I bought something in there, the staff member behind the counter completely ignored me while she texted/chatted on her smartphone. I was a bit shocked, thinking, "You should be treating me like royalty right now, as there's no one else in your store and no one else behind me in line." The staff were always pretentious and unfriendly (I have supported that place since the early 90's). It's unfortunate that it's closing, as NYC is losing another unique business, but the treatment of their customers could have been a lot better. It's customers that keep a business alive/thriving. I don't feel "sorry" for them.
They should get rid of the owner and run it as a workers cooperative.
"You should be treating me like royalty right now"
You are very special.
As one of the few customers in there that day (or any day for that matter) ,yes, I was very special. You don't know anything about me nygrump.
As a person that owns a small business, I believe all customers are special and should be treated so.
NOBODY IS SPECIAL AT KIM'S.
That's the way it was and has always been.
God forbid you didn't know the director of a film you requested. That was before the internet so it was harder to be prepped with all your info.
I still shopped for my videos there because of the amazing selection.
But remember: NOBODY IS SPECIAL AT KIM'S.
So now their former staff will have to go down to 6th Street and First Avenue and apply for a job there.
But anon 12:17 whats really important I guess is do you treat them like royalty? Do you have someone at the door to carry their dresses - or do you go all out and have a group of strong men who will carry the customers around the store on a chair? Do you have stringent security to protect the royals? Do you give the royals products free of charge because it is such an honor to serve them? These royals want to make sure you know you are there to serve them.
My friend fell asleep watching a VHS tape from Kim's, and the movie ended and there was static for a while.
Suddenly, the static stopped and there was a homemade video of some guy taking a crap on the floor.
My friend found a few more of these surprises hidden at the ends of a few Kim's VHS tapes.
You can't make this "shit" up!!!
Give it up. Sell online. Spare yourselves the inevitable closing in a year to three.
D
The clienteles at Lunasa are "special", and they'd treat you as such.
I've been a Kim's regular since they opened their first store on St Marks, about 1989 or so. I have to say I've always found the staff helpful and knowledgeable. I never found them to fit the "Clerks" stereotype.
I'm sad about the closing because I have so many great Kim's memories from back in the day. But there isn't a viable business in selling DVDs and VHS cassettes anymore. It's a sign of the times. We're all getting old!
See if you can find a cheaper spot on A. Maybe the building Mast is in, possibility to break up larger space, or the other side, NYCHA. All the best.
@nygrump, Yawn, anonymous comments slung back and forth in an attempt to be witty. Yes, Im fully aware the aloofness of the staff was part of the experience. I've lived in the East Village a long time. NYC no longer has the creative credentials for that sort of snobbery any more though. For a store that barely does any business, to be "greeted" by a staff member, and by greeted I mean completely ignored, while handing her my cash for a purchase is unacceptable. There, now we can both go back to being smug.
I ran into a friend of mine who had just gone to Kim's and purchased a Blu ray disc. I noticed that underneath the sticker price, was another sticker. I peeled the $19.99 top sticker off to expose a $16.99 sticker. Basically, what they are doing is raising the prices,then applying the 30% discount. The $20 title, would be $14...however the original $16.99 price would have made it $11.90. Be careful when shopping Kim's closeout sale, and if you see something you want and you can tell it has a price tag on top of another...well, you can do what you want about that.
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