Damian SchmittThere's no blue collars or khakis. No life-size posters of Morgan Freeman. And if it wasn't clear from the rows of indie and foreign films and the vintage VHS tapes for rent, then owner Damian Schmitt's tattoos and lamb chops could surely leave no doubt - you're not at Blockbuster.
The owner of Westside Video is talking about the store's history, which spans three decades, two locations, and several owners. It's a rich past, but the future is a little murky. Schmitt is soberly realistic about the nature of independent businesses and is hardly looking to host his own pity party as he outlines the pitfalls of big outfits like Blockbuster. He is, however, honest in admitting that he's not sure if Bend can, or will, support a locally owned, independent video store - meaning that when his lease is up in October, there's a chance that independent video becomes a thing of the past in Bend. He looks out the window out at Newport Avenue, and puts his position bluntly.
