Audiovideo Centre in Ottawa is closing - End of an Era

[bubaglobalj]

I was browsing the Kijiji thread this morning and saw that one of the listings from the Audiovideo Centre was a sublease for its own retail space. I confirmed with the owner (Alexei) that he is closing the store by the end of January.

The Audiovideo Centre has been the best kept secret in Ottawa with unbeatable prices. For example a new 4K release would range from $17.50 to $20.00 and that's with taxes in.

I live walking distance to the store and for me this news is absolutely crushing as I have been swinging by a couple times a week to pick up various gems at great prices.

This is the end of an era, Alexei will be greatly missed and it was one of the very last places where you could rent Blu Rays/DVDs as well.

Please leave your comments in this thread what your experience/relationship with Audiovideo Centre has been like.

[Puckjunkie]

Sad news indeed. I’ve been going there for years and his prices were always the best. Also traded in a bunch of BRs and DVDs in the past. Alexei and his staff were always a pleasure to deal with and his knowledge of movies was great. The store will be sorely missed. Not sure if he will be having a closing sale but I’ll have to swing by at least one last time before he closes up shop.

[El Baz]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

This was my go-to store for new releases for like, 10 years.
I have to say this was why my collection is so high. Those prices were unbeatable.

Just spoke to him. He said it was time to move on. It was getting harder and harder to find stuff at low prices which is why he was focusing on Lego and Magic stuff lately. But the decision is purely to spend more time with his family. He did say he will be liquidating all of his stuff and the video rental store owner as well, so there will be a blowout sale coming up.

[Coolcicada]

Although I have never been, I had this place saved on Google Maps to visit if I was in town. I always heard they had a great selection and prices.

Sad to see another store close.

[supervij]

I was planning a trip to Ottawa a couple weeks ago but omicron killed the plan. I had been hoping to visit Audiovideo Centre but alas, looks like I’ve missed out forever. It’s sad that so many of these great stores have gone.

[will oneill]

Terrible news. Alexei’s was basically the last brick and mortar store I still shopped at. But I wish him well.

[TheZoof]

Yikes. Bad news... I probably spent $5k at their store this past year.

A real shame.

[bubaglobalj]

Originally Posted by TheZoof

Yikes. Bad news... I probably spent $5k at their store this past year.

A real shame.

Wow, just on movies?

[TheZoof]

Originally Posted by bubaglobalj

Wow, just on movies?

Yes. I'd say about $100-200 a week... so maybe more than $5k.

Great store. I never went in and didn't buy something I wanted at the best price available.

[RegressiveScan]

This is very sad news indeed. I found out about it last night in an online chat with Alexei, when I asked him about the availability of a Blu-ray.

I know Alexei always worked so hard, and spent so much time and energy helping his customers, so I completely understand why he needs to make this change in his life, and prioritize his family and himself. His staff would sometimes tell me stories about how hard he worked, at times forgoing meals and rest to keep the store going and ensuring the best selection. I hope this portends a positive change in his life, and I wish Alexei all the health and happiness he can get.

But speaking for myself, I am very bummed out by this news. This store will be greatly missed! I live in the neighbourhood and would drop in very frequently. As someone who loves browsing movie/music/book stores, I really loved having this place so near my home. I picked up lots of used CDs there too.

This is a real loss for the area, and for the city.

[RegressiveScan]

I showed Alexei this discussion thread last night, and he got a kick out of it.

[bubaglobalj]

Originally Posted by RegressiveScan

I showed Alexei this discussion thread last night, and he got a kick out of it.

Haha I will tell him I started it next time I see him.

[Lacrymosa]

So sad. I saw the store closing ad on Facebook and texted him (before I saw this thread…) as everyone has said, unbeatable prices. My new release ritual will look very different going forward. He’s a great guy, hope he enjoys the family time.

[El Baz]

Today was my first day buying a new release not at Audio Video Centre (Dune 4k).

We sure had it good with Alexei.

[the_hudge]

I just wanted to throw in and say how sad this news is. I discovered AV Centre in 2015 and they were almost a weekly visit from that point on. I have so many awesome things in my collection as a result and they were all at incredible prices. Alexei was the absolute best and I will miss the place dearly.

[bubaglobalj]

I still put my name down for Dune and Juice 4K, fingers crossed he’ll deliver another week. He did hint at perhaps keeping some of his business going online, which gives me some hope.

Us Ottawa folks need to stick together, feel free to join our discord server to share deals. We’ve just set up an Ottawa channel: https://discord.com/invite/dCPthKcMTd

[khalbrae]

Noooo! I love that place!

[RegressiveScan]

The store is closing up on the 31st, but there are still good deals to be found on recent releases. Today I saw the "pain box" 'Dune' Blu-ray/DVD combo for $20. No tax. Also a bunch of recent Blus for $17: 'Last Night In Soho', 'No Time To Die', 'Many Saints of Newark' and others. Lots of recent 4Ks for $20 to be had also.

Don't sleep on these deals, people.

[Lacrymosa]

Originally Posted by RegressiveScan

The store is closing up on the 31st, but there are still good deals to be found on recent releases. Today I saw the "pain box" 'Dune' Blu-ray/DVD combo for $20. No tax. Also a bunch of recent Blus for $17: 'Last Night In Soho', 'No Time To Die', 'Many Saints of Newark' and others. Lots of recent 4Ks for $20 to be had also.

Don't sleep on these deals, people.

Also they'll be discounted a bit further than the stickered price since he mentioned the guy who ran the rental section is going to buy all the movies he doesn't sell at cost for a store in Hawksbury, so he'd rather sell them to costumers since he will still make a bit more even at a further discount. And there are a lot of movies in stock still. I made my last trip yesterday. Wish I could go back Monday on the last day but I'll be away. Had a good almost hour long chat with Alexei, you can tell he's looking forward to having time for himself again, so I'm glad he is taking an opportunity to put himself and his family first.
It was a sad day walking out of that store for the last time.

[El Baz]

Originally Posted by Lacrymosa

Had a good almost hour long chat with Alexei, you can tell he's looking forward to having time for himself again, so I'm glad he is taking an opportunity to put himself and his family first.
It was a sad day walking out of that store for the last time.

It sucks. Out of habit, I was going to text him to ask and reserve a copy of Ghostbusters 4K for me on Tuesday.

I have to say, a good chunk of my collection comes from Audio Video Centre.