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After a long day of school or work, you may not want to go out on the town. The most comforting option is to rent a movie, curl up on the couch and escape into Hollywood fantasies. Corporate video store chains are an obvious choice but the cost and late fees can be a little too high, in another scenario, the desired title is either out of stock or isn't carried by the company.
The solution to the video chains is tucked behind Coconut Bay Cafe on Old Fort Parkway: DVD Plus, where you can buy, sell or trade only DVDs. Owner and operator Ferrell Smith stocks 5000 widescreen titles in the genres of classic, comedy, horror and adult.
His prices are easy on the wallet, too. A four-day rental of a "classic" title costs $2.99 and a new release goes for $3.99; the fourth and eleventh rentals are free. Titles for sale are located on the counter and sell for $6 a pop or five or $25.
Is there a movie you have to watch for a class? Smith probably has it in his inventory.
"I try to carry titles that professors want to students to watch," he said. "I'm always open to helping a professor out."
His most popular titles include "The Boondock Saints," "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels" and the director's cut of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." If he does not carry a particular movie, customers can request it. Once he finds it, Smith could have it in "about a week," he said.
A native of Gallatin, Smith runs the store seven days a week from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. He closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays, but will stay open later if needed.
"As long as people are in the store, I'll stay open," Smith stated. In addition to running the first DVD-only store in Tennessee, Smith has numerous skills and professions under his belt. He majored in psychology and political science at Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with honors in 1987. Smith went on to work for the Human Services Department before opening up his own state-licensed adoption agency, Heaven Sent Children, in 1989.
"I was elected constable for two terms," Smith said. "I mainly helped out the sheriff's department by serving papers, but I worked a couple of wrecks, a fire and broke up a fight."
After purchasing a computer for home studies, Smith realized the computer industry would become massive. He left the adoption agency to open a computer store, eventually owning six stores in Rutherford and the surrounding counties within 12 years. While running the computer store chain, he created and produced computer "how-to" videos. Then, two years ago, Smith decided to sell the chain.
"My last shop was located next to Wall Street," he said. "I couldn't compete with Wal-Mart."
The sale of his computer shop allowed him to open DVD Plus. Smith admitted he had "always wanted" to open a video store, even when he ran the computer business. But his abilities and knowledge do not end there. Smith also has a pilot's license, preacher's credentials (which allows him to perform weddings) and is a published author. His first book, a science fiction/fantasy story titled Dark Ascension, is available through Amazon.com and various bookstores, including DVD Plus. Smith has a second novel in the works, titled Shadows of Perfection, which will be available later this year.
Although he said "nothing too interesting" has happened at DVD Plus, Smith revealed that anything can happen in the world of retail. One night while working at a convenience store, a man walked in dressed in a straightjacket, blue jeans and no shoes. The man's two girlfriends had discovered his cheating ways and took revenge.
"One of the girls worked at Centennial [Medical Center]," Smith chuckled. "The girls waited for him at home, put the straightjacket on him and took his wallet."
Smith released the man, who had walked five miles to find someone to let him out. Once free, Smith said the man walked back home so he could recover his wallet and return the jacket.
DVD Plus is beginning to gain more business, thanks to newspaper advertisement and new signs. Smith believes the current mall expansion may "bring in more business," but still thinks of the quiet store as "a hidden treasure."
"As long as there is a need for DVDs in Murfreesboro," Smith said. "I'll stay here."
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