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There was something so thrilling about going to a video store to grab a movie back in the day. Sure, streaming services are convenient, but the process of looking at the box art, catching glimpses of horror movies you weren't allowed to watch, and actually feeling the weight of a VHS tape in your hand gave the whole thing a sense of anticipation you just can't get by scrolling.
Video stores in the ‘90s had distinct vibes of their own. From Blockbuster to local mom-and-pop shops, these institutions often had specific thin carpets, upbeat synthesizer-based music playing on the stereo, and giant movie posters on the wall. But who else remembers the sort of slightly musty yet deeply comforting way these stores smelled?
Here are five smells you might have detected in a ‘90s video store-smells that likely meant it was a Friday night, an unforgettable movie night lay ahead, and anything was possible.
Overheated plastic
Video stores in the ‘90s centered around renting VHS tapes, which usually sold for between $2 and $4 per night. These tapes were often packed in plastic clamshell cases, which gave off a specific plastic smell that grew even more intense when the tapes were warm. That heated plastic definitely gave off some fumes, which filled the store with a lightly chemical tang. Overheated TVs and desktop computers at the counters also gave off their own plasticky, digital smells. But somehow, it was that exact smell that let you know you were about to pick out a fantastic movie.
