Photos: Vidiots movie rental store in Santa Monica is closing

Vidiots’ rentals have dropped 24% in the last six months and are down 60% from the store’s peak years in the early 2000s, co-owner Cathy Tauber said.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Independent movie rental stores like Vidiots have struggled to find a model that works.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

The shelves at the Vidiots movie rental store are covered with dozens of messages scribbled by filmmakers on the covers of faded VHS and DVD containers.   (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Vidiots’ owners are looking for a benefactor to take over the store or to at least keep their collection of 50,000 titles available to the public.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)