The Daily O’Collegian

From an eclectically organized collection of films to the performance area in the back, Stillwater’s Vault Video serves a unique function in the community. It’s business without the aftertaste.

Not all vaults are filled with gold and silver, and the Vault Video rental store is a perfect example.

Married owners Cindy and David Christopher run the independent business on the edge of The Strip.

With more than 2,500 members, “The Vault is something different for everybody,” Cindy Christopher said.

For senior citizens it is a place to mingle, and for families it is a place where children can get free rentals with any rental purchase, Cindy Christopher said.

The Vault is home is to roughly 8,000 films, which cost $2.99 to take home for five days.

However, the films are not separated into normal genres like at Blockbuster or Hastings.

The store is lined with shelves containing anything from Academy Award favorites to forgotten foreign films, but everything is organized into unique genres. Sexploitation, nunsploitation and blaxploitation are among the more colorfully named categories.

“I love the director section because if you get into a director, you can easily find [his or her] other films,” said Aaron Hale, a university studies sophomore. “Also, it really seems like David Christopher caters to you.”

The Vault takes time to not only help customers but also to connect with them.

Elizabeth Tabish, an English and film studies senior, recalls visiting The Vault for the first time two years ago and having David Christopher help her find a classic film she didn’t know the name of.

“It’s fun to have a personal experience when renting films,” Tabish said.

Michael Seaman, a history junior, said “You feel like you are part of the community [at The Vault] and not part of another corporate conglomeration.”

Who can say that about renting at a Redbox?

“[I hope that customers] appreciate the fact that this is a Stillwater business and make a conscious choice to visit us because of that,” Cindy Christopher said.

The staff has a lot to do with making The Vault function.

“We are a close knit group,” David Christopher said.

Employees like Tom Bigbee have learned a lot from working with customers.

Bigbee began working last June but was only knowledgeable in the chick flick genre.

“Working with customers at The Vault has expanded my horizons,” Bigbee said.

Employee Bryan Thompson has been with the store for more than two years and has watched it grow from its downtown location to The Strip.

“[Working at The Vault] started off as a good part-time job, but now I have poured my heart and soul into it,” Thompson said. “[The Vault] is my home away from home.”

Thompson’s “home away from home” continues to grow.

The Vault extended its hours into the night in order to become a concert venue in June.

In addition to being the only video store in Stillwater with a shelf dedicated to Tom Selleck’s moustache, The Vault is also the only all-ages concert venue in the city that books local and national touring artists.

“On one hand, it’s great that The Vault is the only all-ages venue because it gives anyone under 21 something to do,” said Colin Fleishacker, long-time customer and Colourmusic bass guitarist.

“On the other hand, it’s sad that there are not more all-ages venues, but I’m glad someone is stepping up to fill that gap.”

Now that gap is filled by a stage that sits permanently in the back of the store.

Stillwater bands Colourmusic, Taddy Porter and BrotherBear covered a portion of the cost.

Colourmusic’s lead singer, Ryan Hendrix, claims the stage is a special landmark because, “[David Christopher] built the stage for Stillwater.”

“Colourmusic and I have the same goal of promoting everything that is Stillwater-based,” David Christopher said. “Diversity is wonderful thing to have, and Stillwater needs a place to display it.”

The venue is booked through November.

David Christopher said he works to make sure that every concert has an Oklahoma artist attached to it, but wishes he had more time to accommodate more artists.

“Some [bands] get disturbed that we are booked so far out [in advance] because a lot of bands want to play here,” David Christopher said.

Although The Vault has a lot going for it, it is nowhere near a Hollywood ending.

Cindy Christopher said the biggest challenge for David and her is getting the word out, but that challenge won’t stop the couple’s dedication.

“At the end of the month when we are trying to pay bills and make ends meet, we get so close and it just feels good,” Cindy Christopher said.

The Vault is a giving place and Cindy Christopher said the store will continue to help as long as there is a need.

Cindy and David Christopher truly live up to the slogan printed on the front window of The Vault that reads “Video without the Corporate Aftertaste.”

Check out upcoming all-ages shows at http://www.myspace.com/vaultvenue.