Family Video in New Kensington will permanently close shortly after it, and other non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania, reopen.

All Family Video locations companywide were closed Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There are about 18 locations in Pennsylvania, four in eastern Ohio and more than 550 in 20 states and Canada.

It’s the largest movie and game rental chain in the United States, according to the company’s website.

Josh Stephens, district manager of Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio stores, said Pennsylvania stores closed March 19 after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all “non-life-sustaining” businesses shut down.

Wolf ordered “nonessential” businesses to close March 16 including movie theaters and retail facilities except those containing pharmacies or medical facilities.

Stephens said Family Video stayed open a few more days until the governor’s latest order because of its telemedicine and CBD oils, sprays and balms.

The New Kensington location will sell off all items after the governor lifts his order, and eventually lock its doors for good.

Stephens said the move is being made because it’s a leased space, and other Family Video buildings are owned by the company. The lease is up sometime before the end of the year.

“We’re a strong company,” he said. “We’ve been in business for over 40 years. We’ve been through things before. We will get through this.”

The four employees impacted by the soon-to-be permanent closure in the Riverview Plaza, 100 Tarentum Bridge Road were offered positions at other locations.

Stephens and a few other salaried employees were at the store Friday preparing everything for sale.

“We’re here doing this in place of the team (that usually works here) to get it ready so when they come back they’re not overwhelmed. It’s just ready to go,” Stephens said. “There was four of us that stayed on just to take care of this location.

“All the rest of the state has already been furloughed. … We don’t know how long this is going to last. So if we come back and we only have a few weeks left on the lease, we didn’t want those girls to have to come in and go nuts trying to get this done. It’s completely ready for sell-off now.”

The New Kensington store served about 150 to 200 people per week. The next closest locations are in Greensburg and Moon Township.

Drop boxes are still open for those who need to return videos.

People can purchase — not rent — movies and CBD products through familyvideo.com.

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