Jackie Nichols is closing the doors on Te Puke's United Video store.
Already as rare as hen's teeth, the number of video rental stores in New Zealand is about to be reduced once again.
Jackie Nichols has owned Te Puke's United Video store for six years - but the tide of technology and dwindling income means it's time providing screen entertainment for the town is all but over.
Jackie will close the shop's doors for the final time on May 8.
With her lease coming to an end, she says new technology and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly of lockdown, mean she couldn't contemplate renewing it.
Being closed during alert levels 4 and 3 just added a few more nails to the business' coffin, but income drying up wasn't the only issue.
''They kind of stopped releasing good movies and making good movies and they are holding everything back,'' she says. ''
The quality of what was available made it difficult to get DVDs that would be attractive to large numbers of customers.
''There was not a lot coming out, just a lot of B grade stuff, and over lockdown my regular renters couldn't come in, so they started watching online, Netflix and stuff, and they just haven't come back."
The shop is also a Lotto franchise.
''Without Lotto I would have been gone a long time ago. You don't make a lot out of Lotto, but it was enough to pay the rent and some of the bills.''
But there was a similar story with regular Lotto ticket buyers trying and getting used to getting their tickets online, and many didn't return when the shop reopened.
''The fact is, the lease is up for renewal and I'd have to sign up for another three years and there's no way I could stay here for another three years.''
While streaming has undeniably had an impact, Jackie says there are limits on what is available via the internet.
''You don't have as much choice. People still come in and say 'I can't find this movie online, have you got it?' Often we have, but sometimes we don't, but then you are renting them for $2 each so it's not a lot."
Over time there has also been a reduction in the numbers of people taking out several DVDs at a time.
''School holidays used to be a busy time and they're just not anymore. Even in the Christmas holidays people weren't doing it like they used to - coming in and getting a load. It's a bit sad - a lot of kids will never have that.''
When Jackie took over the store she was at a bit of a loose end.
''I was trying to find something and I thought I'd give it a go."
She says despite the fact it is now coming to an end, and the way that has happened, she doesn't regret the decision
''I think I'd regret it if I didn't give it a go - you don't know what it's going to be like and circumstances have definitely made it a lot harder. That lockdown - nobody saw that coming, and so many businesses have gone out of business because of that.''
But she has enjoyed much of her time in the store.
''I used to get excited every week. We were getting movies every week on a Wednesday - and I used to love it.''
She says the Marvel and DC franchise movies have been the most popular rentals over the years.
''People love them and I used to buy quite a few of those when they first came out - and action stuff.''
TV series on DVD box sets became increasingly popular and some, especially those that aren't available to stream, still are.
Video rental stores are now few and far between. There is Civic Video in Tauranga and there are United Video stores in Timaru, Invercargill, Morrinsville, Masterton and Whangārei and a smattering of independent rental stores across the country.