40,000-square-foot video rental store in Charlotte doubles as nonprofit arts hub

VisArt Video in east Charlotte has converted a long-standing movie rental shop into a nonprofit arts center. The business opened in 1982 as a standard video store. It transitioned to nonprofit status in 2018 to broaden its role in the neighborhood.

The location maintains a physical inventory of more than 50,000 titles. Customers can still browse the aisles and select discs for home viewing. This catalog remains available despite the industry shift toward streaming services.

Gina Stewart serves as the executive director. She stated that the store aims to recreate the experience of browsing a physical library. She noted that patrons often recall the feeling of visiting a Blockbuster to pick out weekend movies. Stewart said the current model connects with community preferences.

The space functions as a third place for residents and artists. It hosts plays, musical performances, and visual art displays. Stewart described the venue as a community space that serves the surrounding neighborhood. She said this expanded mission has helped the business survive.

Emerging filmmakers use the facility to present their work. The organization supports film production in North Carolina, with a focus on Charlotte. Stewart said the center has helped launch the careers of several young filmmakers. She noted that some of these creators later attended the North Carolina School of the Arts.

The building contains a dedicated screening room and a café. These areas provide opportunities for artists who lack the resources to host independent events. Much of the interior furniture and equipment was rescued, repurposed, or donated by local residents.

Stewart said visitors are frequently surprised by the scale of the collection. She reported that at least 15 people visit daily specifically to see the rental library. Those visitors often express disbelief that such a large physical media store still operates in the area.