Old-School Video Rental Store Opens in Garden City

Working at a video store in the early '90s was a dream job for a movie buff like me.

From 1988 to 1991, I had the privilege of working at Great American Video in Twin Falls. Some of my best young-adult memories were in that store. I got my hands on the newest releases. We popped popcorn to share with customers while they browsed. My absolute favorite part about the gig was helping people choose a movie when they weren't quite sure what they wanted to watch.

There was this sense of community.

And I was thrilled to learn that some of that culture might be making a comeback.

Rob's Video - Ian Carpenter

Rob's Video Opens in Garden City, Idaho

In a world where streaming dominates, Ian Carpenter has opened Rob's Video inside Wylie Records in Garden City.

The name is a tribute to a video store Carpenter grew up visiting in Latonia, Kentucky.

Carpenter has spent the last 20 years working in IT, but opening a video rental store had been a childhood dream.

And it's about more than nostalgia.

"I think of video stores as community experiences," Carpenter told me.

Ian Carpenter - Rob's Video

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I expected Rob’s Video customers to be mostly Gen Xers looking to relive their childhoods. But Carpenter says many of his customers are in their late teens and early 20s.

It makes sense. Physical media is trending. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, vinyl record revenue topped $1 billion in 2025, growing over the last 19 years. 

Carpenter believes younger generations are looking for something tangible in a world where so much of their entertainment and social interaction happens online.

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Rob’s is already developing that sense of community.

"They hang out at the counter and want to talk about movies," Carpenter said.

He says customers sometimes spend half an hour discussing a movie they've just returned. That's exactly the kind of experience he hopes to encourage.

VHS and DVD Rentals at Rob's Video

Rob's Video has a growing collection of nearly 1,300 VHS tapes and DVDs, with everything from horror and comedy to romantic comedies and family movies.

Rentals are $3 for one night or $5 for three nights. Memberships are free, and you can even get an old-school laminated rental card.

Rob's Video Location and Hours in Garden City

Rob's Video is located inside Wylie Records at 4586 W. Chinden Boulevard in Garden City.

The store is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. It's closed Mondays.

And if you're anything like me, you might find yourself spending more time talking about movies than actually picking one out.