Family Video opened 123 new stores last year, creating more than 1,000 new jobs since July 2010.
Based in Illinois, Family Video is the largest privately owned rental chain in the nation. It has 750 stores in 19 states, including eight in the Dayton area, plus additional stores in Springfield, Eaton, Piqua and Sidney.
“We have averaged opening a store a week since 2002,” Syrek said. “That hasn’t slowed down; if anything it has sped up.”
Three area Blockbuster stores, one each in Xenia, Miamisburg and Vandalia, will close soon following Blockbuster Video’s bankruptcy filing.
Blockbuster is “evaluating its U.S. store portfolio with a view towards enhancing the overall profitability of the store operations,” according to a company spokesperson.
Family Video’s stores are profitable, Syrek said. “It’s a viable long-term business,” he said.
Each Family Video store averages 10 employees, both full- and part-time, and some 2,000 to 3,000 active members.
Syrek said the chain is thriving because of its people and service.
“The success and the growth really revolves around how (staff) treat the customer, and then how Family Video really wants to be part of the community,” he said.
Family Video owns, rather than leases, most of its locations. It offers many new release films 28 days before Redbox and Netflix, in addition to free children’s movie rentals and other premiums.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDaily News.com.
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