Treasure Chest
Video is sinking

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Owner Linda Stellenberg is sad that her Treasure Chest Video store, which opened in 1988, will close next month.
"I’d do twenty more years if I could," she said.
Treasure Chest Video, at 7955 Verree Road in Fox Chase, will close for good on May 14.
Stellenberg cites competition from Comcast’s on demand service and other online movie providers as the main reason for closing. She’s also battled Blockbuster Video and other large chain stores.
"This is a small neighborhood store that doesn’t exist anymore," she said.
The original Treasure Chest store sold cards and gifts until Stellenberg and her late husband Robert turned it into a video business 20 years ago.
The store also carried movie-watching musts such as candy, snacks, drinks and popcorn — both the microwave kind and the fresh-popped.
You couldn’t beat the rental fee — a dollar for five days.
Over the years, the business sponsored many youth sports teams and advertised in school program books. The store counter also appeared in a brief scene in the DVD version of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village.
As the times changed, so did the business. DVDs replaced VHS tapes as the preferred way for customers to watch movies.
Along the way, Stellenberg became close with the folks who patronized her store; she attended their weddings and funerals.
"They were more than customers, they were my friends," she said.
Today, the front window of the store features a sign that reads, "Going Out of Business. Everything Must Go."
Some of the shelves are already empty. Customers have bought favorites such as James Bond and Woody Allen movies, The Three Stooges and The Sopranos.
Still, there are plenty of movies and other videos for sale, along with PlayStation games.
The popular Pennsylvania Lottery machine and scratch-off games remain and will stay for the next business that rents the property.
Samantha and Brad, the two children of Robert and Linda Stellenberg, grew up working at the store. There have also been some other longtime loyal employees.
"It’s hard letting everything go," said Stellenberg, a 56-year-old who does not plan to retire. "It’s hard to let go, because part of my husband is still here."
The business owner welcomes customers to visit for good deals in the final weeks.
Treasure Chest Video’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The telephone number is 215-742-5096. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com