VHS tapes picking up in popularity once again in Winnipeg

In Winnipeg, VHS tapes are experiencing a resurgence in popularity once again. Exchange Movie Exchange co-owner Paul Gubernachuk and co-owner Kami Goertz told Global News that they have always been drawn to VHS due to its simplicity and nostalgic value. Gubernachuk, who started collecting VHS tapes from a young age while filming his and his friends' crazy antics, emphasizes the sentimental aspect of the media format.

He explains that VHS tapes hold memories for him and his friends, creating a physical connection to those moments.

The couple opened the movie exchange and started hosting VHS movie nights in Winnipeg's Exchange District, noting that the community has taken a liking to this analog alternative to digital streaming services. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, seem to be at the forefront of this VHS revival. Gubernachuk attributes this to a desire to have a physical media option in an age where people question the authenticity of digital content.

Joshua Wilson, who runs Rae’s Rummage in Thirsty’s Flea Market, also contributes to the VHS revival. Wilson collects tapes for various reasons, such as nostalgia, cover imagery, or to find obscure films. One notable example is a VHS tape of Cutthroat Island, a box office bomb that cost $100 million but only made $10 million. Wilson sells a VHS box set of the 1980s anime series Cowboy Bebop for $2,000, noting that a similar box set is currently listed for $1,800 on eBay.

While Disney classics are not the most popular choice among VHS collectors, horror films, sci-fi, and B-movies from the 1980s are drawing significant interest.

Wilson hopes that this renewed interest in VHS tapes will lead to the preservation of these physical media items for future generations. He emphasizes the importance of owning physical media, stating that it helps prevent important cultural artifacts from being lost to time.