By YASMINA KETITA
When news broke that a Vinegar Syndrome store was coming to Toronto, my brain melted. Opening day was October 27, 2023, and I couldn’t wait to go as soon as my Halloween engagements moderating panels at Frightmare in the Falls and a screening of Hack-O-Lantern at the Paradise Theatre were done. As I stepped inside Vinegar Syndrome on Roncesvalles Avenue, I silently gasped at the store’s beautiful slipcovers, lined up all in one place. I knew I’d be there for a while…
As I perused the Blu-rays, most definitely eyeing Don’t Panic (a tape I’ll sadly never own, and even if I did, I don’t own a PAL player), I spotted a tiny shelf with a few VHS tapes on it. The clerk must have telepathically felt the nostalgic buzz emanating from my being and approached me to deliver a message: “There’s more tapes downstairs.” The intensity in my eyes only grew more intense. Finally, my senses kicked in, and I followed a sign with an arrow pointing downstairs – a command I shall not disobey. Although I love shopping for VHS tapes, I’m also an old country music fan, so I lurked through the records as well. And, as an avid reader and ‘80s horror paperback collector, I also enjoyed going through the used books. This turned into a solid two hours, as I found myself needing to add more time to my parking app.
Vinegar Syndrome’s Toronto store – a mecca for cult movie fans
Vinegar Syndrome has built its reputation by preserving and digitally restoring rare and out-of-print cult films of many genres from exploitation to horror and action and everything in between. The brand has focused on distributing independent and underground genre films, mostly released between the ‘60s and ‘80s. Every B-movie fan knows its name. Vinegar Syndrome has expanded its catalog to include several partner labels such as VHSHitfest, Sarturn’s Core, AGFA and Bleeding Skull. Cult movie aficionados can also join the Vinegar Syndrome Media Club and earn points and exclusive rewards every time they shop. I always love chatting with the Toronto store’s staff and Director of Canadian Operations, Andy Williams, whenever I visit – mostly about action movies, of course. (Thank you for introducing me to Jeff Speakman). I’m thrilled to introduce RUE MORGUE’s readers to Andy for an opportunity to become a bit more acquainted with him, the company and this fantastic store.
As a Toronto native, how long have you been working for Vinegar Syndrome, and what did your job entail before the opening of the store?
I’ve been with the company for about six years now. Time flies when you’re having fun. Before the store opened, I shipped Vinegar Syndrome titles to awesome people all around Canada who ordered off our site.
Vinegar Syndrome has two other retail locations, Bridgeport, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado. Why was Toronto chosen as a location for a physical store?
I spent a lot of time looking for the right spot to put a store – a few years on the back-burner, so to speak. But it was a group discussion, and after looking at a lot of factors, we picked 399 Roncesvalles Avenue as our home. We like it here, and we hope fans of cinema like having us here, too
The main floor of the Toronto store features Blu-rays, DVDs and books, and the basement is where you can find VHS, vinyl and T-shirts. Your store offers customers the opportunity to trade used products for store credit. Do the other stores have this option as well? What media do you see traded the most?
They do, yes. All the stores do trade-ins. We see mostly Blu-rays and VHS. We like the idea that used media could find a second home.
You have a glass case that displays rare and out-of-print releases. Out of all the Vinegar Syndrome releases, which titles are the most sought-after? Are there any releases that were so exclusive they’re virtually now impossible to get?
Probably, Rad 4K with slipcover, we see the least. The original Blood Hook with slipcover is pretty rare. I don’t even have a copy in my personal collection. Side note about our glass case itself: It’s from a Toronto case company from the 1930s that was on Young Street!A little piece of Toronto history.
Tell me about one of your favorite genres and why you adore these particular films.
I love all types of cinema, but lately, I’ve been revisiting Euro-crime a lot. If Umberto Lenzi made it, and there are cops in it, you are in for a fun time.
The first anniversary of the opening of the Toronto location is approaching this October. Do you have any plans to celebrate?
Good question! No plans at this moment, but we will likely do something cool – maybe a sale, maybe a screening across the street at the wonderful Revue Cinema if they will have us.
What’s your favorite snack to eat while watching movies?
Popcorn from the Revue Cinema. I’m there watching stuff a few times a week after work. I live off popcorn. Popcorn is life.
Vinegar Syndrome’s Toronto store is now a required stop for my traditional thrifting in the GTA on my days off and a place I hope you include in your shopping agendas. I purchase a lot of blind buys when I shop for tapes, and after watching them and perhaps deciding they’re not worth keeping, I add them to my “for-trade-at-VS” pile. I’d have to say my favorite part of Vinegar Syndrome is getting store credit. When you visit Toronto, be sure to stop at the Roncesvalles Avenue store. If you’re like me and enjoy digging through physical media to read every synopsis, plan for a hefty chunk of time.
Visit www.vinegarsyndrome.com for online orders. Information about the Toronto store location can be found on Instagram (@vinegarsyndrometoronto) and Facebook.
