MONROE - Family Video believes being part of a community is serious business.
"There's always something for free," said Jim Burda, regional director for Family Video.
The national movie and games rental company is opening a new store Oct. 1 on Monroe's west side.
Burda said Family Video has had Monroe on its list of potential target markets for a while, but when Movie Gallery closed, the time to act was now. The new store is opening up on Movie Gallery's old location, 100 W. 8th St.
"Family video is community-oriented, like Monroe. It's a perfect fit for a town of its size with grass-roots events, and we want to be a central part of the community," he said.
Being a part of the community even means having a float in the next Cheese Days parade.
"Hey, our store is part of the parade in Sauk City," he said.
In a down-turned economy, Family Video is expanding against all odds, with 120 new stores opening across the nation in the past five months. It is now the second largest video and games rental chain in the nation, and the largest privately-owned chain in the industry, according to Burda.
"The industry is strong. DVD rentals are up 9 percent," he said, compared to last year.
What keeps Family Video fast forwarding to its success?
"We stay with the old-fashioned service model," Burda said. "Every member gets a tour of the store and help picking out movies. And we have a low-pricing model."
Low-prices includes free rentals on many items. Kids movies are always free, and some rentals come with a free second movie or game.
Family Video also encourages students to do their school work. Students can get a free movie or game rental for every A they get on their report card.
"Last year, we gave away 1.3 million free rentals under the (report card) program," Burda said.
Outside the business of movies and games, Family Video donates turkeys and hams to needy families in the area every Christmas, he said.
Burda will be in Monroe Thursday as the store finishes setting up and on Friday for its grand opening.
The Monroe store will have about 8,000 titles, with new releases renting at about $2.80 per night. One section of 2,000 titles has two movies for five nights renting for $1.
Unlike other online companies, Family Video is "bricks and mortar" and always in the neighborhood, Burda said.
"They may have some convenience with the mailing or downloading options, but they don't have anybody to fix things," he said.
"There's always something for free," said Jim Burda, regional director for Family Video.
The national movie and games rental company is opening a new store Oct. 1 on Monroe's west side.
Burda said Family Video has had Monroe on its list of potential target markets for a while, but when Movie Gallery closed, the time to act was now. The new store is opening up on Movie Gallery's old location, 100 W. 8th St.
"Family video is community-oriented, like Monroe. It's a perfect fit for a town of its size with grass-roots events, and we want to be a central part of the community," he said.
Being a part of the community even means having a float in the next Cheese Days parade.
"Hey, our store is part of the parade in Sauk City," he said.
In a down-turned economy, Family Video is expanding against all odds, with 120 new stores opening across the nation in the past five months. It is now the second largest video and games rental chain in the nation, and the largest privately-owned chain in the industry, according to Burda.
"The industry is strong. DVD rentals are up 9 percent," he said, compared to last year.
What keeps Family Video fast forwarding to its success?
"We stay with the old-fashioned service model," Burda said. "Every member gets a tour of the store and help picking out movies. And we have a low-pricing model."
Low-prices includes free rentals on many items. Kids movies are always free, and some rentals come with a free second movie or game.
Family Video also encourages students to do their school work. Students can get a free movie or game rental for every A they get on their report card.
"Last year, we gave away 1.3 million free rentals under the (report card) program," Burda said.
Outside the business of movies and games, Family Video donates turkeys and hams to needy families in the area every Christmas, he said.
Burda will be in Monroe Thursday as the store finishes setting up and on Friday for its grand opening.
The Monroe store will have about 8,000 titles, with new releases renting at about $2.80 per night. One section of 2,000 titles has two movies for five nights renting for $1.
Unlike other online companies, Family Video is "bricks and mortar" and always in the neighborhood, Burda said.
"They may have some convenience with the mailing or downloading options, but they don't have anybody to fix things," he said.