T
I
M
P
O
R
T
E
R
IN AN AGE where Blockbuster stores are obsolete and Netflix, Hulu and On Demand rule the screens, Bette Wolczanski enters her ninth year as owner of Bette’s Flicks, a neighborhood video joint providing customers with something online stream- ing can’t — a sense of community. How did you first become
interested in film? I grew up in New York at a time when some of the
neighborhoods were not very nice.
Instead of going outside and playing,
we were kept inside with the TV so I
used to watch movies all day. Did you
have a favorite film growing up? Yes,
All About Eve with Bette Davis. Bette Davis is my favorite actress and
my hero because she opened the doors for a lot of actresses. I changed
my name to spell it just like hers. How did you come to own a video
store? I worked for Video Droid for 20 years; then in ’09 they closed
up all their stores and I bought this one. With so much competition
from online streaming how do you stay afloat? It’s really thanks to the
community. I’ve had several fundraisers on GoFundMe and everyone
in the neighborhood has come to support. I made $15,000 on the first
one, enough to buy my partner out and keep the store going. What’s the
most popular genre? Foreign TV shows. That’s what really got me on
the map. There used to be an international TV station that people loved
and then suddenly it was cut off. I was able to get the international
shows that people were looking for, but then I found all these other
foreign sitcoms that I decided to add to my collection, which continue
to be the most popular. What do you like most about your job? I love
talking to people. I’m a people person and I’ve made tons of friends and
am even a little sad when I’m not here. I just love film and being around
people. What are your plans for the future? Well, I’m not making that
much money so if I really want to stay I’ll probably try to go nonprofit.
There’s all kinds of ways that I can share my films as a nonprofit: con-
tribute to libraries and senior citizen homes or donate educational
films to schools. When is your next fundraiser? This fall. It will be at
Redwoods Presbyterian Church in Larkspur. I make a whole dinner,
lasagna, salad, and everybody pays $40. We have a band and a silent
auction; it’s a lot of fun. m
In Marin / CURRENTS
ON THE JOB
Bette Wolczanski, Bette’s
Flicks, 586 Magnolia Avenue,
Larkspur, 415.924.2679,
bettesflicks.wordpress.com
In the
Spotlight
This owner of the last independent video
rental store in Marin County continues to
defy the odds. BY LEELA LINDNER
