City Calls for Removal of Outdoor Redbox Machines
DVD rental kiosks in violation of existing 7-Eleven special use permits
Wondering where all the Redbox DVD rental machines have gone? Well, the City of Alexandria has recently required the removal of machines stationed outside 7-Eleven convenience stores.
These machines are operating in violation of existing special use permits. According to Barbara Ross, Alexandria’s deputy planning director, all operations at 7-Eleven stores must take place inside. By running a cord outside to power a Redbox machine, the permits are violated.
“It’s our job to enforce these permits,” Ross said.
Ross didn’t know if it was Redbox or 7-Eleven that has since removed the machines.
“We hope they can manage to retain the machines and move them inside the store,” Ross said.
Alexandria resident Todd Warren noticed Monday that the Redbox at the 7-Eleven closest to his house had been removed. He stopped by the 7-Eleven on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Tuesday to purchase a bottle of water and noticed the Redbox was missing there as well.
Warren asked the manager what happened and was told that the city required the removal of the machine.
Warren said he relies on Redbox for his movie rentals.
“Now it’s just on-demand on Comcast or using other people’s Netflix,” Warren said.
Editor's note: The spelling of the word "cord" was corrected in this story.
Dana Damico
5:30 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I love that Redbox! Definitely want to see it moved inside.
KN
8:54 am on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
I second that ...I hope the City can work with Redbox to keep and add more sites in Old Town.
Ashley
5:51 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I love that Redbox too! Not sure I understand why they enforce this SUP violation and not others.....
They still have the Redbox at the Harris Teeter outside - at Glebe and Route 1. I have also been to the Shoppers Warehouse when a certain Disney flick was not available at our 7/11.
Jolynne
7:41 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I use the Redbox at the 7-11 on Mt Vernon. I have to get in the car to head to the Giant or Shopper's.
7-11: Please allow it inside the store.
Joel Fortner
8:06 pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011
If you want the Red Box machines back in Alexandria, join the Bring Back Alexandria's Red Box Machines! Group on Facebook by clicking here: http://on.fb.me/i3gU92 or search "Bring Back Alexandria's Red Box Machines!"
Bud Miller
6:35 am on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thank God the City is protecting us from the evils of the Red Box!
Yet another great use of our tax dollars.
If only the city could figure out a way to really harm businesses.....Oh, wait, how about a 20% increase in commercial property taxes to float more bonds to increase the City's debt to pursue the pet political projects of special interests and the professional politicians of Arlington & Fairfax?
Sad how the truth can be stranger than fiction.
Perhaps some year our elected leaders will get to finding real solutions to enhance our school system, which is literally the worst performing in the country in terms of financial efficiency v performance.
Hia
11:14 am on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The CVS nearby on Monroe also has an outdoor Redbox (if it hasn't already been removed). This situation is hilarious. I was stunned when I went to the Mt. Vernon 7-Eleven. Thank goodness for mobile Google Maps.
Lee Hernly
12:42 pm on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Amazing.
Good to know there aren't more serious issues to deal with within the City of Alexandria. But, this is what you get when Government grows too big and is out of control. The Planning Department alone in the City of Alexandria the last few years has seen its budget increase 10x the rate of inflation. Now we see what they're spending the money on...
Jerry King
1:33 pm on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Bummer! One would assume the city has our best interests in mind, but not here. I would like for 7/11 to apply for an exception to the special use permit and have a hearing and bring it up for a vote. I am not sure who would be against it except the city.
Jerry
g8rsig
10:27 am on Thursday, April 14, 2011
By running a "chord", like on a guitar? I think that would be "cord".
Drew Hansen
2:20 pm on Thursday, April 14, 2011
You are correct, g8rsig (how do you pronounce that?). I will fix it and make a note of it.
Doubleplay
9:22 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
I e-mailed the mayor about this. To his credit, he promptly replied and said he will discuss it with the City Manager to see if they can fix the problem.
Drew Hansen
9:35 pm on Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thanks for letting us know, Doubleplay.
Lindsey
11:25 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I noticed this weekend that there is now a Red Box outside the CVS on Monroe Ave.
I didn't see any cords running from it, either :)
Drew Hansen
11:28 am on Tuesday, April 26, 2011
I believe the outdoor Redbox machines are only a violation of the special use permits for 7-Eleven stores. CVS stores have their own SUPs.
Jen
4:51 pm on Monday, June 6, 2011
They have since been removed from other outside locations like CVS. I hope they come back. They have taken out 3 outdoor locations close to me and the 1 indoor location had a line of almost 30 people trying to rent and return movies. Everyone was grumbling about the closing of the other locations causing them to have to wait in these lines.