However general manager Shane Nehlsen is optimistic that Family Video is not closing the door on its future in Marshalltown.

“After this week, I will be communicating with people and figuring this out,” he said.

Nehlsen has until the end of March to find a new home for Family Video.

He was informed shortly before Christmas that the video rental store would have to vacate by Jan. 18 and Dollar General would utilize the building. After more than 18 years in the State Street location, getting a 30-day notice to vacate was a tough pill to swallow.

T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM The familiar Family Video shelves sit empty and the lights in the movie rental store are dark after its State Street location closed for business on Monday.

However, the employees were quick to let customers know Jan. 5 was the last day to rent and even faster on selling movies and games.

“We definitely sold more than 8,000,” Nehlsen said.

If Family Video is able to secure another location before the end of March, all of the sold movies will be replaced with inventory from other franchise locations, of which there are more than 500. The closest Family Video locations to Marshalltown are in Grinnell and Ames.

The challenge that Nehlsen faces now is finding a space that Family Video can use. After word got out that the long-time video rental business had to find a new 2,000-square-foot home, many customers offered suggestions.

“We have a lot of loyal people,” Nehlsen said. “People have told us about a lot of locations. They have reached out on Facebook. I have looked at some places already and they have either been too large, too small, had a bad layout or were too expensive.”

Fans of the last video rental store in town can rest assured that Nehlsen is not giving up the fight and if and when something is found, they will know about it in the Times-Republican pages and on social media.

——

Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com