The throwback Dubai video shop where customers can rewind to the days before digital

In the heart of Dubai’s Al Hudaiba district, nestled among the city’s ever-expanding skyline and futuristic tech hubs, lies a modest shop that defies the march of progress. Island Coast Audio & Video, established in 1992, continues to operate as a haven for analog enthusiasts. The store offers a curated collection of VHS tapes, cassettes, CDs, vinyl records, and DVDs, formats that were once ubiquitous but have largely faded from daily life. Its owner, Syrian-born businessman Mahmood Al Laham, who acquired the business in 2006, describes the shop as a living museum of sound and film. Al Laham, who has turned the store into a multifaceted space combining Arabic and English audio with video offerings, says the resurgence of interest in physical media reflects a broader cultural shift. “I believe the golden time of these things has returned,” he told The National. His assertion comes amid growing consumer demand for tangible items, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly drawn to the tactile experience of handling physical media. The shop’s origins date back to a time when digital streaming was still a distant dream. When it first opened, the concept of watching movies or listening to music via the internet was virtually unthinkable. The store thrived during the era of tape-based entertainment, offering a wide range of titles that catered to both local and international audiences. However, the rise of digital platforms in the early 2010s brought challenges. By 2011, the decline of traditional video rentals, marked by the collapse of Blockbuster and the ascent of Netflix, threatened the survival of stores like Island Coast Audio & Video. Despite these pressures, Al Laham remained steadfast in his belief that analog media would find a niche in the digital age. Friends urged him to close the shop, citing the difficulty of competing with online services. Yet he chose to persevere. In 2018, he expanded the business by integrating an Arabic audio section, an English audio section, and a dedicated video area, all under one roof. This strategic move allowed the store to serve a diverse customer base, reflecting Dubai’s multicultural identity. Today, the shop attracts patrons of all ages, from children seeking vintage VHS tapes to elderly visitors reminiscing about their youth. One young visitor recently purchased a VHS tape, illustrating how the store bridges generational gaps. Al Laham notes that the shop serves as a gathering point for people from 200 different nationalities, each bringing their own tastes and traditions. “We have 200 nationalities, and all nationalities come,” he said. “People from different generations visit the shop to ‘purchase what they love.’” Beyond nostalgia, the shop plays a unique role in preserving personal histories. Some customers bring in old family recordings stored on obsolete formats, hoping to digitize them for easier access. Al Laham helps convert these memories into modern formats, ensuring that cherished moments are not lost to technological obsolescence. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, including audio and video production, Al Laham sees a parallel in the potential erosion of human creativity. He argues that while AI can generate content efficiently, it risks diminishing the intellectual engagement that comes from manual creation. “AI means everything is easy. AI is good, but with AI, your mind has no need to think,” he said. “Your mind becomes weak like a muscle. If you do not use it, it becomes tired and this is dangerous for your health and body.” The store stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of analog media, even in a city defined by its embrace of technology. As Dubai continues to evolve, Island Coast Audio & Video remains a quiet but vital link to the past, a place where nostalgia meets tradition, and where the physicality of media finds a home.