Video Americain is a great example of a good business. Unfortunately, that good idea has come to an end, as the last video rental store in what was once a small chain of six stores spreading from Delaware to D.C. closes its doors this month. This last location, on East Cold Spring Lane in Roland Park, named after "Rick's Cafe Americain" in
Casablanca, was one of the best places to find obscure movies. It was in the movies itself (in John Water's
Serial Mom), but now it will be infamous as one of the last video rental stores of its kind, murdered by the internet, Netflix and other sources of DVDs not thought of when the store opened exactly 25 years ago this month. Remaining owners Barry and Annie Sloan closed their other Baltimore store in Charles Village last summer. Then, like now, they were inundated by many customers who just came to say good-bye, just as many as those looking to take advantage of the inventory sale.
