Go Video provides family entertainment
By Kevin Sjoberg
PRESQUE ISLE – Marty Allen and Tom Ellis are no strangers to the video store industry and have brought their experience back to Aroostook County as the owners of Go Video, located at 733 Main Street adjacent to the former Movie Gallery.
GO VIDEO celebrated its grand opening on Main Street in Presque Isle, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, on Friday, Aug. 13. Present for the event, pictured from left are: Nathan Oliver, director of “The Zombies are Coming to Town;” Kevin Guyan, assistant manager; Kimmie Morey, customer service associate; Andrea Gardiner, store manager, holding the ribbon; Customer Service Associates Kris Guyan and Taylor Defelice; Marty Allen, owner; Stacey Shaw, member of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce; Nola Farley, president, PIACC; Billie Brodsky, member, PIACC; and City Manager Jim Bennett.
The Bangor residents are the former owners of Home Vision Video and Front Row Video, which had several stores in Aroostook County in the 1990s.
When the Movie Gallery closed earlier this summer, they wasted little time in providing Star City residents with another place to rent or purchase games and movies. Much of their inventory came from the Movie Gallery.
Go Video, under store manager Andrea Gardiner and assistant manager Kevin Guyan, has an abundant selection of movies, both in DVD and Blu-Ray formats, and video games for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360.
The store, which held its grand opening Aug. 13, offers a family corner for children to hang out while their parents are choosing a movie. It has comfortable seating, a popcorn machine, books and games to entertain youngsters.
Go Video, which has seven employees, also does not have an adult section. “We want this to be a family place,” Gardiner said.
She added that the store has several unique offers, such as “Marty’s Brown Bag” special which consists of three movies for $2 or three games for $5 that are wrapped in a brown bag so the customer does not know the contents.
Gardiner said the “Staff Picks” section, a display which includes the favorite movies of employees, is popular “because a lot of people like feedback from employees.”
The store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from noon-8 p.m.
Despite competition from Netflix and Red Box, Allen says local video stores have plenty to offer, including the ability to provide new movies to its customers “28 days before Netflix or Redbox can,” he said.
Guyan said Go Video is trying to establish close contact with other merchants in the Presque Isle area and feels it is important to keep a good relationship with other businesses.
“We work closely with the business community,” Guyan said. “We like doing cross promotions with local businesses.”
Allen is pleased to be established back in Aroostook County and encourages area residents to check out the store.
“We feature friendly service and a great location,” Allen said. “It’s fun to go to the video store. We have a better selection than Red Box and you don’t have to wait next to your mailbox for the next movie either.”
The business phone number is 768-5480 and Go Video can also be found on Facebook.
A NEW VIDEO RENTAL store opened Aug. 13 on Main Street in Presque Isle. Like any good movie theater, there has to be a well-stocked concessions stand. Selling treats and drinks during the grand opening celebration for Go Video were, from left: Sam Guyan, son of Assistant Manager Kevin Guyan; and Allison Gardiner, daughter of Store Manager Andrea Gardiner.
