In Cochrane we've had one video store thats been around since forever, I remember when they were renting beta tapes. A few others came and went and then Movie Gallery came in, they had a much better selection so I went there for a few years. Then Blockbuster opened up two blocks away and crushed them. I kept going to Movie Gallery for awhile out of loyalty but always seemed to end up at Blockbuster cause they had what I wanted. Then they came out with no late fees and I stopped going to Movie Gallery cause they really hosed you on late fees.
Now Movie Gallery is gone(don't miss them at all) and its just Blockbuster and that small video store thats been here from the beginning. I don't really see Movie Gallery/VHQ as the small guy, just another failed company.
For the record Blockbuster did try to buy out Movie Gallery when they came in but Movie Gallery declined the offer. No idea if it was a fair offer or not.