Video Rental Store Closing, Library to Get Collection

A Portland, Maine, video rental store that lasted long after most of its competition shut down because of its loyal customers and extensive collection of rare and hard-to-find titles is closing its doors after nearly three decades in business.

Bill Duggan, owner of Videoport, announced Wednesday that the store will close next month and he will donate his 18,000-title DVD collection to the Portland Public Library.

Duggan tells the Portland Press Herald that competition from online streaming services and rising lease costs contributed to his decision.

Sarah Campbell, the library's executive director, says the donation will double the library's existing DVD collection.

Campbell called the collection "unique," since it includes obscure and hard-to-find titles, ranging from indie horror and obscure documentaries to silent film classics as well as Hollywood blockbusters.