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The longstanding video rental story is 41 years old this year!
It’s nostalgia to the max at Casa Video, 2905 E. Speedway Blvd., and now the crew is celebrating the Film Bar’s 10th anniversary on Tuesday, December 31.
Let’s pretend Casa Video is in the format of a Blu-ray or DVD. Here’s a quick featurette in its bonus features on how it all began in the ’80s:
The owners of Casa Video and Film Bar — brother and sister, Gala and Ray Mellenberndt — first opened the shop in July 1983, at 1925 E. Grant Rd., now home to H.Q. Nails Spa. In 1985, they took over just one of the spaces at 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. (its current location) and as the other businesses left that location, Casa expanded.
10 years ago, the video rental crew turned a section of the story into a craft beer and wine bar — a space that screens free movies when they’re open from 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. 365 days a year.
Word on the street is that the Film Bar turned 10 years old on December 25. So, since there’s another popular birthday that same day, they’re celebrating on New Year’s Eve.
Being that it’s Tuesday, they’re hosting their weekly SpeedQuizzing at 7 p.m. (get there early if you have a large group or want a good seat).
Ukies will be serving its Ukrainian food starting at around 6 p.m.
At 10 p.m., they’ll be showing the 1998 comedy classic “The Big Lebowski” on all screens throughout the taproom.
Then, lastly, they’ll have free cake and a champagne toast at midnight!
In the year 2000, Casa Video had already become such a well-known treasure that Blockbuster tried to purchase the store.
Luckily, the owners stuck to their roots and chose to keep Casa a Tucson staple. They never responded to the offer.
Stop by the video rental store and bar on New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, December 31) and congratulate them on 10 years and 40+ years overall.
Casa Video and Film Bar is located at 2905 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information, visit casafilmbar.com and follow the video store and taproom on Facebook and Instagram.
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