Family Video
Encyclopedia
Family Video is the largest privately-owned video rental chain in the United States
, and second largest overall. The company has its headquarters in Glenview
, Cook County
, Illinois
. The company has over 735 stores across nineteen states, with their strongest customer base in the Midwest
, and has an emerging commercial property division, fitness division, fiber optics division, and ecommerce division. About 5 years ago the company sold its dialup ISP
(Family Online) to EarthLink
, which folded those customers into their PeoplePC
low-cost internet service. The company also sells new and used movies and games online.
in 1978. Hoogland inherited Midstates Appliance and Supply Co., the predecessor to Family Video, from his father, Clarence Hoogland, who started the company in 1946. In the 1970s, Midstates Appliance got stuck with a large quantity of videos. It was suggested that they rent the videos, and the Video Movie Club of Springfield was born. The Video Movie Club was one of the very first video rental stores in the country and had no competition. The Club charged $25 for membership and $5 for a three-night movie rental. The Family Video chain of stores evolved from this club.
In 2003, Family Video announced it would be relocating its headquarters to Glenview, IL
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and second largest overall. The company has its headquarters in Glenview
Glenview, Cook County, Illinois
Glenview is a suburban village located approximately north of downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 41,847...
, Cook County
Cook County
- Counties :*Cook County, Georgia, US*Cook County, Illinois*Cook County, Minnesota, US*Cook County, New South Wales, Australia*Cook County, New Zealand, one of the former counties of New Zealand on the North Island...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The company has over 735 stores across nineteen states, with their strongest customer base in the Midwest
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
, and has an emerging commercial property division, fitness division, fiber optics division, and ecommerce division. About 5 years ago the company sold its dialup ISP
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
(Family Online) to EarthLink
EarthLink
EarthLink , is an Internet service provider headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. It claims 1.94 million subscribers.- Business :EarthLink provides a variety of Internet connection types, including dial-up, DSL, satellite, and cable. Both dial-up and high speed Internet access are available...
, which folded those customers into their PeoplePC
PeoplePC
PeoplePC is an Internet service provider owned by EarthLink.PeoplePC was founded by Nick Grouf, Max Metral and David Waxman, and launched in the USA in October 1999...
low-cost internet service. The company also sells new and used movies and games online.
History
Family Video was started by Charles Hoogland in Springfield, ILSpringfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
in 1978. Hoogland inherited Midstates Appliance and Supply Co., the predecessor to Family Video, from his father, Clarence Hoogland, who started the company in 1946. In the 1970s, Midstates Appliance got stuck with a large quantity of videos. It was suggested that they rent the videos, and the Video Movie Club of Springfield was born. The Video Movie Club was one of the very first video rental stores in the country and had no competition. The Club charged $25 for membership and $5 for a three-night movie rental. The Family Video chain of stores evolved from this club.
In 2003, Family Video announced it would be relocating its headquarters to Glenview, IL
Glenview, Cook County, Illinois
Glenview is a suburban village located approximately north of downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 41,847...
.