Citizen Video

…got a Ghost Dog tee as a gift a while back, but the fit was «hipster tight», brought it back to get a larger size, to my disappointment they didn’t have a larger size for that design. Cruised past the other day and it appears as if they’ve ghosted the neighborhood — gone! Unless i was just trippin, i think theres another business in what used to be Citizen Video… and so, how is a closed business top 5 on Unilocal?Maybe theyre like me at the update center of Unilocal; hopeful Citzen Video is not closed for good. Where else am i gunna find a Ghost Dog tee?!

really too bad, just heard the news from some neighborhood friends :(
citizen video always had a selection that netflix doesn’t provide. great documentary and kitsch comedy sections.
bought my friend a treasure there for $ 20… yes, a bill murray pillow
sad…

Closing? Frak.
I went for a burger across the street and stopped in to see what new shirts and videos were on display only to learn that it’s closing it’s door in a week!!!
Sucks on so many levels.

Can I just say, «People! There’s room enough for Netflix and Citizen video!»
Would someone for the LOVE OF GOD tell me why do people think they even NEED to compete?
I can stream video with Netflix, and let’s just be honest, why wouldn’t I stream the TV series Weeds for season 1 & 2 online?
Well I would, but then when I figured out there are a lot more seasons and I WOULD NEVER have enough patience to wait for all those damned DVD’s to come in the mail, Citizen Video could rent the REST of the series to me. Sigh, that was a mouthful.
Citizen video you’re great, but you suck in one way, your awesome t-​shirts only fit anorexics.

This is hands down the best video place I’ve come across in San Diego. I moved out here in March from Michigan and was longing for a place like Thomas Video (if you’re ever in the Royal Oak area check it out) where I could find all the indie and art films I could stomach. It’s located in arguably one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city and on top of that they have a lot of good horror and cult films. I’d been trying to find Over the Edge for literally years.
The staff is extremely friendly as well. I am horrible with names, but I always get a friendly smile from girl’s #1 and #2 and friendly guy. I’ll try to catch their names next time around. Their request book by the counter isn’t just for show either… I wrote down a suggestion and saw it in the shop the next week.
The memberships are great as well. I signed up for the $ 20/​month but that gets you unlimited rentals with three at a time. Not bad at all, especially if you rent at least 3 a week like myself. That balances out to roughly $ 1.50 a movie. Way better prices than Blockbuster and a way better selection. I have been advised they are discontinuing this membership soon, but I don’t intend to let that stop me from frequenting this oasis of film.
So, great selection, great service and great prices. I’m not sure why you would go anywhere else.
Oh wait, because you want to rent Scary Movie 15.

Arguably the best video rental shop. We are lucky to have such a place, give them your support.
I’ll save you the namedropping, get your hard to finds here. Citizen Video doesn’t carry every silly film from history. Don’t expect a Library of Congress. They do have very tasteful, and of course tasteless, handpicked gems.
The staff are sincerely amazing. Always ready with recommendations, I’ve never left here without a rushed dash to indulge my video addiction. Citizen is the down-​to-​earth dealer you honestly enjoy hanging out with. Did I mention the rates are super inexpensive?
Two for one Wednesdays, free screenings hosted by neighboring shops, free special engagement tickets and a variety of memberships to suit any customer’s need.

Stumbled onto this awesome find on the way to a bar to see a band. and holycrap. If I lived in SD I would be here ALL the time… also I admit: I’m jealous and totally want to own something like this.
They had a fantastic selection of good films, and some of the greatest movie tees I’ve seen. I was sad that they were out of my size in the Hitchcock shirt, but I got a rad Ghost World tee that I am currently branding as my favorite.
I LOVE indie video stores, and it makes me happy that I found one on vacay, even if I can’t bring it back with me. Hooray for Citizen Video!

On a quest to find some special movies about Charles Bukowski, I had a feeling that Citizen Video would lead me in the right place. Unilocalers led me to another one of San Diego’s gems.
Citizen Video has a really amazing selection of some new movies, many vintage classics, a huge selection of Hitchcock, and of course, my Bukowski movies.
The lady working there was pretty cool and explained the video rental process to me very nicely. First timer for me! Yes! If you’re a one day rental, you just have to have it back by 11 PM the next night and it’s only 3.50 a movie. Yes! However, if you’re an extreme movie watching machine they have special membership packages for you too.
If you can’t decide on a movie, there are many pieces of clothing and jewelery for sale as well to keep your interest and perhaps inspire an outfit style parallel to a movie on the shelf.
I’ve never been one to watch many movies but Citizen Video’s quality, prices, and selection has definitely persuaded me to check them out more frequently.

Who else lists their films by director. Plus — Holly Jones, the owner of Citizen rocks seriously.
Support business in South Park!

Streching like tentacles from our northern neighbor of LA, Blockbuster has taken over 99% of our fince city. With our video market flooded with terrible «Must Love Dogs,» «beverly Hillds Chihuahua,» and «Marley and Me» there must be an oasis, a place for respite in the Anza Borrego of the fillmic pantheon of San Diego. Thankfully, we have a few shops around town still fighting the good fight. Citizen Video has all the movies you should watch. Theirevents are cool and they are a great force to have in the community for that.
So why no 5 stars? Two reasons.
1) Location. I have found that my attendance at Vagabond and my use of my Citizen Video membership are inextricably linked. Unless I am going to Vagabond, or another SP restaraunt, getting to South Park is kind of a pain. I’ve had a few late fees because of it.
2) I am not cool enough. I work in film. I make films. Movie people are my people. I should do well at this. But I just don’t feel comfortable there. The service while not rude has never been particularly warm. I couldn’t dig through the movies there for hours like I can in other places. It feels like a guerilla tactic. Rush in, find the payload, pick up, make the drop, and evacuate.

For the 100 email newsletters I opt out of each year, this is one I’m so glad to keep getting– I actually look forward to it! They know their stuff (read: staff has actually WATCHED the movies they rent out to their customers) and they put on cool events. Plus we went there and ended up in a debate about who it was on a postcard they were selling, and the girl called us later on at home to give us the answer. I heart awesome customer relations.
I wish I lived closer and had more time! I would love to have something like this around the corner from me. But if you do (this means you, South Park!), definitely check it out.

I have officially renounced my Netflix membership! So many good things to say about Citizen Video, but if you look at all the 5-​star reviews CV has, you get the picture. A cozy shop with a finely-​tuned selection. No wading through a bunch of half-​baked movies to get to the good stuff, none of the overwhelming selection that just makes your head spin. Everything about this shop feels considered, and I love that. Holly is super nice and will kindly offer up some great suggestions.
Plus, a free t-​shirt with a 3 month membership? How can you go wrong? I’m a sucker for a t-​shirt deal. I love this place!

I love this store!
In fact this may be the best video rental store I have ever been too.
In fact, my Unilocal reviews have been suffering as a direct result of the many great foreign and classic films they stock. If you like good movies this is your place.

With the economy in the shape that it is in and movie downloads readily available online, it is hard to find thriving little business’ such as Citizen Video. I just recently moved to Golden Hills and happened to walk by there one day, reading a sign that said, «Not your momma’s video store!» My roommate and I stepped in and were taken by how creative and unique it is.
The videos are independent and/​or foreign films. They have a large section of cult classics, horror, GLBT, and films from all over the world. A few days ago I joined as a monthly customer, where I can take out unlimited movies. This is the best bet for me, as I am a foreign film buff and love GLBT cinema.
How cool is it that I can visit their website, (
) and search for movies, then reserve them to pick up that day. I walked in today to return my three films and she was sitting there with my films ready to go, and she even knew who I was. What’s even nicer is that she recommended a film to me last time and even asked how I enjoyed it. Now that’s what I call hospitality!
What a wonderful way to get a nice walk and support a local small business.

I heart Citizen Video. It makes me happy everytime I am there. I first started going there because I had taken on a film class due to my love of film… and Holly was a huge help and got me through my class… so i kept going because Citizen Video kicks much booty.
Holly is amazing. She is very sweet and genuinely nice. Citizen Video is a happy place and I never want to leave there… I always end up staying there for longer than I should and rambling on and on with whoever is working there. Dear Holly: Roni, Johnny and Marla love you and your store. xoxo
Citizen Video is one of my few loves in San Diego.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to join!
A Parker Posey shirt and a Godard shirt on the same shelf? and for free if you join? AND the films are organized by director, rather than title?! This store is too good to me.
Oh, and i watched Divorce Italian Style last night, which I highly suggest if you enjoy viewing incest in black and white. Which I, of course, love.

Citizen Video was my first SD indie video store love. Citizen: you took my Inarritu rental virginity. I’ll always remember that as a wonderful and somewhat painful experience.
Not only is Citizen Video in South Park, another one of my favorite of SD neighborhoods, but its an amazing Mecca for those with taste in film.
First off, they do have a good selection. Yes, they are small– but what they have is what you want/​should see. I’m kindof obsessed with their documentary shelf. Only kindof.
They also have amazing staff there. Everybody is always friendly and incredibly helpful. Not to mention knowledgeable. One of my first times in there I was trying to rent movies for my roomie (who had just had her wisdom teeth pulled) to veg out to. The girl who was working (I wish I remembered her name!) was amazingly helpful and picked out 3 great movies that helped my poor roomie through her drug/​pain induced 36 hour semi coma. Not only that, but when I went to return the films, the same girl was there, and she remembered me, and she asked how my roomie was doing! It was great.
They have a few options for membership. I went with the most expensive one, cause i’ve just got soo much money rollin around in my bank account. Or, because, it goes like this. You pay $ 25/​year. You get 1 free film every month, and another free one on your birthday month. I figure, most rentals are about $ 3. 3×12=36. So, even if you don’t rent videos, and just get the free ones, you are still saving money! Also, if you rent on tuesdays, its 3 films for $ 3. Seriously people, these are some amazing deals.
So, stop giving Blockbuster and Hollywood video money. Also the netflix thing (however wonderful it may be) is getting a little out of control. I like it, but I’d rather these small stores stay in business. Try this: see if they have it first, and then netflix it. My advice, obviously you don’t have to take it.

Citizen Video is a loner, a rebel.
Citizen Video is also the coolest movie shop in SD, taking pride in stocking all the indie movies for your viewing pleasures. They carry the weird B-​Movies, Foreign, Documentaries, and even take customer suggestions on what to order in the future. CV also has shirts, magazines, books, popcorn, and other film related stuffs.
Oh yeah, and Citizen Video screens films for free across the street at the Whistle Stop twice a month. How cool is that?
Its just obvious the place is run by people who love films and care about ‘em. Almost anytime I’m in this joint a conversation about something film related strikes up.

If not its not in one way, then its in another that Citizen Video promotes film-​fanatics to really let there freak flags fly.

My membership here began with some sweet 60s Italian Noir, progressed into just about every Mumblecore film they possess, and has yet to end with some randoms (currently I have the Ian Curtic biopic Control and Boogie Nights.) Holly always remembers me, has something new to recommend, and calls me when something I’ve been hunting for becomes available. It’s a cute store, she’s got some beautiful projectors (and will tell you about them if you ask), and like Cheers, after a while, everybody knows your name.
And Craig will tell you honestly if what you are about to rent is shite. You’ve gotta love that kind of honesty.

Holly Jones, co-​owner of Citizen Video, is a freakin’ genius. She picks the movies she puts in her store carefully. If you find yourself wandering through wanting to rent every movie you see, take a step back and ask Holly to recommend something; she comes through every time.
The place is organized by genre and director, so if you’re feeling kind of Finch, you can go right to the shelf holding all his kooky madness.
Citizen is more than just a video store. Get on the email list and check out all the events they sponsor.