The Austin VHS Swap has emerged as a vibrant gathering for enthusiasts of physical media, celebrating the nostalgia of bygone formats like VHS. Initially launched in 2019 as a modest monthly meetup at Kick Butt Coffee, the event has grown significantly, attracting a diverse crowd eager to delve into the world of vintage films.
At these gatherings, vendors showcase their collections in an array of displays, from stacked towers to box-bound piles. Shoppers sift through a treasure trove of movies, including classics like “Speed” and indie gems such as “My Own Private Idaho,” treating their cardboard sleeves with the reverence of family heirlooms. For serious collectors, the hunt for rare bootlegs and horror flicks adds an extra thrill. One can’t help but wonder if it’s truly legal to watch “The Howling” without a bit of static on the screen.
In a digital age that often overlooks physical media, the Austin VHS Swap represents a stark contrast, embodying a community that cherishes the tangible. “It’s a bunch of people who are super obsessed with movies and different genres, just talking about film and sharing weird things with each other that maybe they wouldn’t have known about,” remarked Sarah Froelich, one of the event’s organizers.
Among the eclectic finds is a preserved copy of “Alpha’s Magical Christmas,” the 1994 holiday special featuring the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” stored safely on magnetic tape. Mitch Rafter, the founder of the Austin VHS Swap, has since passed the torch to Rob Jimison, who now co-organizes the event alongside Froelich and Scott Shay, both of whom work at We Luv Video.
The swap has flourished in recent years, expanding to include quarterly markets at venues like Barrett’s Too and The Highball, in addition to pop-up events at We Luv Video. Describing the atmosphere, Jimison said, “It’s like a great block party feel sometimes, even at the smaller ones.” The next VHS marathon and swap is scheduled for December 19 at We Luv Video.
For both Jimison and Froelich, VHS represents their preferred form of physical media. Jimison, who grew up in Corpus Christi, fondly recalls spending time at Les Feldser’s video store in the ’90s, where he engaged in trading bootlegs with fellow enthusiasts. Froelich has her own nostalgic ties, reminiscing about her childhood visits to Atlantic Video in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she had her mother purchase films during a going-out-of-business sale.
A few years ago, the future of VHS culture in the area appeared dim, with beloved indie rental shops like Vulcan Video and I Luv Video closing their doors in 2020. The last local Blockbuster had shut down in 2014. However, a revival has taken place, with the nonprofit We Luv Video reopening in 2023, and Alamo Drafthouse reintroducing Vulcan Video’s DVD and Blu-ray library through a rental service in 2024. This past summer, Austin Video Store also opened in the Montopolis neighborhood.
At the Austin VHS Swap, a community of physical media aficionados thrives, united by their love for analog formats. While some may underestimate the appeal of these events, Jimison highlights the frustration many feel with studios that frequently remove cherished content from streaming services, while Froelich appreciates the unique sensory experience that VHS provides. “The tape hits your brain in a totally different way,” she explained.
During swap events, new friendships blossom as attendees share photos of their home tape collections. When cooler weather arrives, it’s not uncommon to see participants sporting hoodies designed to resemble their favorite blank tape covers. “It’s a desire for the real,” Froelich noted, while Jimison added, “There’s a need for counterculture communities.”
We Luv Video not only sells and rents VCRs but also encourages enthusiasts to explore thrift stores for their own machines, advising potential buyers to test them before purchasing. For those with older equipment in need of repair, the Texas Archive of the Moving Image offers classes on fixing VCRs.
The passion for VHS continues to thrive, with collectors like Jimison proud of their prized possessions, including a copy of “The Return of the Living Dead.” Froelich’s treasure is a rare tape of “Scary Movie,” a 1991 horror film shot in Austin, of which only 100 copies were made—she found hers at an estate sale.
As nostalgia for DVDs resurfaces, the organizers of the Austin VHS Swap remain committed to fostering connections through film, regardless of the medium. Even for those who haven’t owned a VCR in years, Froelich emphasizes that the swap is all about sharing a love for movies. “I hear so many people come up and say, I haven’t had a VCR in a really long time. I say, OK, well, I’ve got books and I’ve got DVDs — and I’ve got some Betamax, too, if anyone’s interested.”
