AMBER-LEA MARIE
NEWS Contributor
Heather and David Beatty, husband and wife team and owners of Blue Door Audio Video, like to talk about the evolution of trends in tech and starting fresh – from their new Parksville location that’s now open for business.
“We moved in two weeks ago,” David said last week of Blue Door’s new locale in the Heritage Centre. “It’s a new store and a new start.”
Sept. 1, 1979: “That’s when we first opened the doors,” said David. “We opened up a TV repair and sales store, and that was the store that started out as Blue Door. That was back in the day when things could be fixed.”
“A big TV was a 21-inch, and nowadays that’s a laugh. The new TVs are a revolution – 4K sets have changed television dramatically since we started in ’79. They’re high resolution and better colour.
“The human brain adapts to high resolution quite well. Distance perspective and the colours – everything is just more natural. It just feels real.”
Amongst everyday brands, such as Panasonic, Sharp, Samsung, and others, the Beattys make certain that Blue Door is happy to do on-the-spot price checks for customers, while staying versed and stocked with specialty brands as well.
“We carry some higher-end brands that aren’t sold everywhere,” David said. “A lot of our brands are handmade and more esoteric. Bryston is a Canadian, custom, handmade product that we carry.”
Married for 27 years and in business together for 26, the Beattys and their knowledgeable staff resonate with the technological desires of today and are happy to deliver – literally.
“We do deliveries and set-up,” said David. “It’s a very big part of what we do. Most people don’t want to or can’t. They can use the technology, but getting to that point is where they need assistance.”
“We’re a team. And we’re very service-orientated.”
While equipped with the technology and conveniences of today, the Beattys embrace the ‘what was old is new again’ movement and are able to match the needs of yesteryear with the wants of today.
“We sell a lot of turntables,” said Heather. “A lot of people have really noticed the sound quality of the record.”
“It’s the whole ritual of getting the record cover out and reading the label and actually having something tangible,” said David.
As nostalgia walks its way into our lives, David reminisces about his most common repair — the salvation of the VCR.
“Back when we were a repair shop, VCR’s were our most common repair,” said David. “So many things would happen with them, like the peanut butter sandwich, the matchbox toy or the ‘My Little Pony’ parts and things like that.”
To experience the personal side of electronics, visit Blue Door’s new store location at 10–1209 East Island Hwy, Parksville BC. Open Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., or Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
You can also research them online at www.bluedoorav.ca, or by phone: 250- 248 – 2515.