Family Video, the last video rental chain in the U.S., has announced it is closing its Fort Dodge store.

The company made the announcement on Monday.

District Manager Matt Rose said 25% of the store’s inventory was sold within eight hours of the announcement.

“It was a zoo,” Rose said. “The AC unit couldn’t keep up. So many people.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Ashley Greenfield, an employee of Family Video, rings up a customer on Tuesday, one day after it was announced the store would be closing.

The store will be selling nearly everything it has in the coming weeks, Rose said.

According to Rose, the impact of COVID-19 was detrimental to the business.

“COVID killed the video store,” Rose said. “No new releases. Hard to bring customers in with nothing new coming out and you do that for six months, it’s hard.”

Rose has been with the Family Video company for 18 years — 12 of those years have been in management.

He began working at the Davenport store.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Family Video is closing its Fort Dodge store, the company announced on Monday. According to District Manager Matt Rose, COVID-19 was the driving force that led to a drop in sales.

“My college roommate worked there part-time and recruited me,” Rose said. “I needed a job.”

Rose said he has nothing but positive things to say about Family Video.

“It’s been fantastic (to work for the company),” he said. “They provided me with amazing opportunities. Nothing but love from me.”

And although stores within Rose’s district will remain open, he said he is looking for a new career opportunity.

“I will be parting from the company,” he said. “I’m going to spend some time with my family and see what my next journey holds.”

The Fort Dodge store employs five people.

Rose said the Family Video stores in Mason City and Waterloo would remain open. The Waverly store will close.

So far Rose said the most popular items that have sold are Nintendo Switch games.

“Beyond that, it’s new releases,” he said. “But some of our Switch games are for sale for $20 or $30.”

In addition to games and videos, the store will be selling shelving, TVs, gum ball machines and M&M toys.

Candy is half price.

The sale will continue for at least the next few weeks, Rose said.

“Every week the prices will go down,” he said.

He anticipates the doors closing for good in October.