Years ago, on June 30, 2015, Hollywood Express at 1740 Massachusetts Ave, near Porter Square, closed its doors. It was a sad day for all of us cinephiles in Cambridge and surrounding areas who cherished the joy of browsing aisles of DVDs and VHS tapes, discovering new cinematic gems, and engaging in conversations with fellow movie lovers. In a world rapidly transitioning to digital streaming, Hollywood Express was our haven, our nostalgic escape, offering an experience that was tactile, personal, and uniquely gratifying.

Despite the closure of Hollywood Express, another local favorite, The Video Underground Cinema Cafe, managed to survive. This resilience shows that, even amidst the digital revolution, there is still a thirst and market for video rental stores offering diverse and eclectic selections that streaming platforms may not provide. Bringing back Hollywood Express throughout different cities (like Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Worcester and other cities) in Massachusetts by 2026 can revive this cultural experience, enabling communities to nurture a shared love for cinema. 

Not only does the reopening of Hollywood Express promise to rekindle a beloved local tradition, but it can also stimulate local economies, create jobs, and breathe new life into our neighborhoods. Physical video rental stores offer a social, interactive experience that online platforms cannot replicate. They become community hubs where people gather, share recommendations, and foster a sense of belonging. The revival of Hollywood Express, as a purchase and rental store, let's you buy or rent physical media movies (Laserdisc VHS, D-VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, UMD Video for PSP, 4K Ultra HD, and Blu-ray 3D from genres (from sci-fi to fantasy and comedies to dramas, as well as indies and more) in alphabetical order) that sells for $3.00, $4.00, or $5.00 much cheaper similar to thrift stores like Savers and Goodwill. Make it more of a thrift rental store. They also sell video games that are cheaper and video game systems and accessories that are ranged from $30 to $50 and even $100 to $200 (like PSone, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PS3, PS Vita, PS4, and PS5, Original XBOX, XBOX-360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, NES, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, SEGA Genesis, Game Gear, and Sega Dreamcast). They also added video game kiosk displays where consumers can try out with their kiosk displays back in the day (particularly the PlayStation 2 kiosk display with a PS2 kiosk demo disc playing). Plus they also added a gift shop at Hollywood Express too like T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, hoodies (from Tron hoodies to Darth Vader), toys (figures to plush toys), and more from Star Wars to Tron to horror movies like Friday the 13th and even comedies like Clueless, they also have movie posters too.

Moreover, the triumphant return of a store like Hollywood Express signifies more than just a business revival; it embodies a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and the unique identity of the locales it serves. It reminds us of the joy and value found in supporting local businesses.

Join us in calling for the rebirth of Hollywood Express across Massachusetts. Let us combine our voices to bring back this beloved institution by 2026. Sign this petition to show your support and help restore the magic of Hollywood Express to movie enthusiasts new and old. Let’s turn the tide back to an era where film discovery was an adventure shared on our streets.