MOViES The Store
Category: Videos and Video Game Rental [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Montrose, Museum District1407 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77006 (713) 527-9997
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
12 Reviews for MOViES The Store
Best.Movie.Store.Period.
Seriously, I have no reason to rent movies anywhere else. I look for a more personal, more intimate experience when renting films and Rob's store will give you just that.
He gives me ideas, and usually has a ton of personalized selections. MOViES The Store has grown incredibly over the past year as well. Every week the selection expands - to the point where the store is running out of shelf space.
I look forward to seeing this store continue to grow as a milestone for Houston's independent business community. It is important for Houston that independent stores become successful in order to promote its own personalized culture - this is a prime example of what Houston has to offer. Its up for Houstonians to keep our city fun and unique by supporting our local stores.
If you like movies, you'll love this store and its owner.
Thank Jeebus for MOViES The Store.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Rob Arcos, I just want you to know that you are a true asset to us Houstonians, and I most whole-heartedly thank you!
When you walk into Movies the Store, there may not seem like much of a choice in selection (growing still, daily growing). But how wrong you are. Quality is key. I have never walked out of this video store without (at least) two gems. Movies I'd forgotten about or movies that are at the top of my list that I've been dying to watch or re-watch. Walk up to ANY shelf in his store, and you'll rethink the two selections you already have in hand. Seriously. I sincerely wish everyone good luck in narrowing your selection down. Good luck! Beyond that, his store that is, he sends out a (or couple of) great weekly update(s). Sign up on his e-list.
What does this man not do for movies and this city?! He hosts weekly viewings of movies at DOMY (Wednesdays, on Westheimer next to Brazil) and monthly discussions of a book and viewing of it's movie at the newly re-opened downtown library. Beyond that, he holds events at his store, such as Sunday evening game night.
Above and beyond the aforementioned, if you are uncertain of the choices you have narrowed down to, ask his opinion. They are always dead on. He will NOT lead you astray, but he will not lead you away from something you JUST THINK you must watch.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Rob's place is now the only place I go to rent movies. His selection is excellent. While he has a great amount of indie/foreign films and television series, everybody can find something they enjoy there. The best part of the store is the sense of community. You can drop by whenever you want and have an hour long conversation about pretty much anything. Rob is always organizing social activities for the members. You will come to recognize the regulars because the place is more than just a movie store; it is a club house.
For some 20 years I watched the mallification of Manhattan spread like an unstoppable cancer that steadily diminished the character of my favorite island on earth. Ultimately, when I meditate on how much I love and miss Manhattan, I'm really thinking of a time more than a place.
That's one of the reasons I'm all about soliciting independently run enterprises like "MOViES The Store" -- even if it takes a little extra effort. Ironically, we only discovered this quirky little shop after a strategically-placed flyer at Amy's Ice Cream caught our eye; otherwise, there's nothing especially inviting about the store's generic exterior.
Inside, the whole vibe of this place reminds me of Championship Vinyl, the record store from "High Fidelity" but without the snobbery. The owner of MTS, whose name also happens to be Rob, engaged me in an interesting conversation about director Adrienne Shelly's untimely death when I recently returned "Waitress." Like that's ever going to happen at Blockbuster.
The selection is small but eclectic which perfectly suits a movie whore like myself whose tastes range from low to high brow. Since joining, Rob's emails have alerted us to several local film events and screenings. And, there are daily rental discounts worth checking out.
Even though we no longer live in the immediate vicinity, it's worth the trip to support a place like this and hopefully see it expand its selection and build a quirkier, less generic storefront.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I was really ticked when they closed the Montrose Blockbuster, forcing me to go ALL THE WAY over to W. Gray. But if they hadn't I'd have never discovered the best little video store in town. Now I never have any reason to go to blockbuster, and I realized they have enough of my money anyway. Now that Rob has clicked with my movie taste, I just walk in and have him pick something for me, and I'm never let down. For you big box movie store customers be prepared to see a selection of movies you've never even heard of.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
For those of you who have never met Rob Arcos, you should. Rob is Houston's greatest movie resource. And please, don't imagine a Simpson's Comic Book Guy type movie fan; Rob is a Hero, working tirelessly to bring great movies to the city of Houston. He has been manager of the Angelika, and the River Oaks Cinema, but now he has found his true calling, his Kingdom. It is called... Movies the Store.
Unlike any other movie rental place I've ever been, Rob hand picks every movie on the shelves, and they're all there for a reason. At Blockbuster, it's hard to find any real gems because they're drowned out by all the noise. (One copy of Little Miss Sunshine, but they've got a whole shelf of Anaconda vs. Python, direct to video!) At Movies the Store, the selection is based on quality, not quantity. The quantity isn't bad either, and it's always growing. Rob is nearly always there, ready with a friendly and intelligent recommendation, and always happy to chat about movies. Going to Movies doesn't feel like renting from Blockbuster, it feels like borrowing a great flick from a friend. A friend who happens to be the city's greatest movie buff.
Prices are reasonable ($3.25 for catalog, a dollar more for new releases, with weekly specials that really make you want to stop in on a Wednesday!) The late fee policy is simple and fair.
If you decide to become a member, make sure you get on the weekly email newsletter. I've never gotten more useful spam :-) Rob does a great job of letting us know what's new at the store, and even keeps us abreast of what's notable in theaters around town.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Cool (4)
Movies the Store,
has sprung up from the ashes of the Cactus Music and Video Store, infusing the Montrose area with a desperately needed independent and personable video rental store. The owner, Rob, always offers great suggestions and his enthusiasm for film will capture you. The late fees are super cheap and the prices are comparable to any of the big brand rental stores. The selection may be limited, but all of the choices on offer are superb, and the comfortable and good smelling atmosphere will keep you coming back.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
I cancelled my membership to Netflix as soon as I discovered this awesome local movie store. Rob is the friendliest store owner I have ever met. He is always so eager to please his customers! You can even make movie suggestions for his catalog selection and YES he actually listens to your suggestions. It's great supporting a local store like Rob's! I hope more people wander into his store and discover how AWESOME it is.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (3)
Rob always suggests movies my gf and I happen to like. He's extremely helpful. To be honest, there hasn't been a time when I haven't found a movie I was looking to rent with one exception, but that time the movie was just checked out. I like it, and I'm willing to pay a little extra for local flavor and some helpful movie selections.
And if you get on the mailing list you can get passes to see special screenings and so forth.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (3)
A super, super-independent video store, operated by the knowledgeable Rob Arcos. (Seriously, ask him about any movie - he knows about 10,000). The store is cozy, membership is free, the rental price is low, and the selection expands so often that it's hard to keep up. (Don't worry, though - you can subscribe to his email newsletter and stay on top of what's going on.)
Weekly specials include:
Monday - TV Shows 1/2 off!
Wednesday - Rent 1 Catalog, Get 1 FREE!
Friday - Rent 2 New Releases, Get the 3rd FREE!
And in general, every time you rent 5 movies you get one FREE.
There are occasionally in-store screenings, or Rob-hosted screenings at theaters around town (highly recommended).
The store's one year anniversary is coming up in October, so be on the lookout for an awesome party. (And keep in mind that the store hasn't even been around a year, so don't freak out if they don't have your favorite obscure flick - just tell Rob and he'll put it on his list.)
It is more than worth a visit. You will either fall in love with kind, funny, smart Rob, or fall in love with the welcoming neighborhood video store that you've been longing for. He remembers all of his customers by name. It's incredible.
The store is right across from the Richmont Square apartments - you might miss it the first time you drive by, so be on the lookout.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (2)
This is a tough one to review. It's not the greatest in the world, but it is by far the greatest in Houston. On a normal scale it is maybe a 3.5, but on a Relative to Houston scale it is more than a 5. The owner is really nice, even ordering a movie for my wife that they did not have in. This will be the place that we rent from in the future; I just can't give it 5 stars because the selection is pretty small.
I prefer to rent my movies from an independent movie store and I really try and do so if AT ALL possible (they're getting three stars just cause they are an independent video store). But, MOViES' selection of movies is tiny and their prices are high!
Having just moved to town I was looking for an independent video store and had yet to find one so I ended up at Hollywood Video (to me the lesser of two evils compared to Blockbuster) and rented an old Billy Wilder film, Ace in the Hole, that was released by Criterion. At Hollywood Video it was something like $2.25 to rent it. When I was in MOViES I was pleasantly surprised that they had it but was shocked that it was renting for $4.50. I understand it is a small, independent store that can't compete with the big box store prices but that's a big cost difference. Also, this goes back to my partner's complaint of video stores that rent old movies (that have been recently re-released) for the "new release" price.
MOViES really does have a small selection of videos (did we miss a backroom or something?). I think my partner's classic movie collection is larger than theirs and that's something we look for (along with documentaries and foreign films). I worked in a large independent video store and there are some obvious gaps and holes in what MOViES carries. I'm sure they're working on bolstering their selection and I do hope this place succeeds and grows but currently I can't afford their prices.
Also, this place smells, rather, it stinks. Can't put my finger on it...
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My Neighborhood
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,… -
Near My Place
Favorite local businesses near my place of…
Hot and New
- Bowl
9 reviews
Neighborhood: Museum District
- 13 Celsius
10 reviews
Neighborhood: Midtown
- Rice Bowl Chinese/Indonesian…
2 reviews
Houston, TX
- Irma's Restaurant
7 reviews
Neighborhood: Downtown
- Nippon Japanese Restaurant
34 reviews
Neighborhood: Museum District
