If you’ve ever driven down Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, you’ve seen it. It’s that low-slung, yellow-and-red building that looks like a relic of a different era. Because it is. University Video Inc isn’t just another adult shop; it is a survivor of a retail apocalypse that wiped out almost every other independent video store in the country. While Blockbuster turned into a memory and Netflix became a verb, this place stayed put.
It’s weirdly iconic.
Most people driving by probably wonder how a place like University Video Inc still exists in 2026. We live in an age where everything is a click away, right? Well, the "adult store" business model has had to mutate to survive, and this specific spot has a history that stretches back decades, long before the internet made physical media feel like a historical artifact.
Why University Video Inc is Still Standing
The sheer longevity of University Video Inc is a bit of a business anomaly. To understand why it's still there, you have to look at the geography. Located at 3341 N Federal Hwy, it sits in a high-traffic corridor of Fort Lauderdale that has undergone massive gentrification over the last twenty years. Usually, businesses like this get pushed out by luxury condos or a Starbucks. But University Video Inc owns its space and its niche.
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Physicality matters. Honestly, the "video" part of the name is almost a misnomer now. Sure, they still have DVDs—there is a surprisingly robust market for collectors and people who live in areas with spotty high-speed internet—but the business is really a boutique for adult lifestyle products. They’ve stayed relevant by pivoting away from just being a "movie rental" spot to becoming a wellness and novelty hub.
It’s a bit of a time capsule. You walk in and the lighting is exactly what you’d expect from a 90s retail space, but the inventory is modern. They sell high-end silicone products, lingerie, and supplements that you can't always find at a local pharmacy.
The Legal Battles and Local Impact
South Florida has a complicated relationship with its "adult" history. In the 80s and 90s, the region was a massive hub for the industry, but local ordinances have squeezed these businesses for years. University Video Inc has survived various zoning changes and "cleanup" initiatives that aimed to shutter adult-oriented businesses along the Federal Highway corridor.
Lawyers will tell you that the First Amendment is the only reason many of these shops still exist. Over the years, Fort Lauderdale has tried to implement distance requirements—rules saying these shops can’t be near schools or churches. Because University Video Inc was "grandfathered" in, it basically became a protected landmark of a specific type of commerce. It’s a classic example of "location, location, location."
The shop also serves a very specific demographic: tourists. Fort Lauderdale is a vacation destination. People often want to buy things in person that they don’t want to be shipped to their home address where a neighbor or a spouse might see the package. Privacy is a huge selling point here. You walk in, you pay cash, you leave with a bag. No digital footprint. No "frequently bought together" algorithms. Just a transaction.
The Reality of the Modern Adult Store Experience
Let's be real for a second. Walking into an adult store used to be a sketchy experience. Dim lights, bead curtains, and a general vibe of "I shouldn't be here." University Video Inc has had to clean up its act to keep the doors open. The modern version of the store is much more like a specialty pharmacy or a boutique.
- Product Curation: They don't just stock everything. They stock what sells. This means a heavy focus on reputable brands like LELO or Womanizer.
- In-Person Expertise: You can’t ask a website how a specific material feels. You can ask a person who has been working behind a counter for ten years.
- Immediacy: If you need something for a party or a gift tonight, Amazon Prime isn't fast enough.
It is basically a convenience store for grown-ups.
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The store's inventory also reflects the shift in the industry toward "sexual wellness." This is a huge trend in 2026. It’s less about "smut" and more about health, intimacy, and body positivity. By rebranding the experience in the minds of the consumers—if not on the actual signage—University Video Inc has managed to keep a steady stream of regulars who don't feel "dirty" for shopping there.
Misconceptions About University Video Inc
People think these places are empty. They aren't. While the "theaters" or "arcades" that used to be common in these shops have largely been phased out due to health regulations and the rise of mobile streaming, the retail floor remains busy.
Another big misconception? That it's only for men. Actually, the demographic shift over the last decade has seen a massive increase in female and couple shoppers. University Video Inc has adapted by making the layout more open and less intimidating. It’s not a dungeon. It’s a store.
The name itself, "University Video," is a relic of a time when adult stores used "boring" names to provide a bit of cover for their customers. If you saw "University Video" on a credit card statement in 1992, it didn't raise as many red flags as "The Love Shack." Today, that name is just a brand with high recognition in the Broward County area.
The Future of Physical Adult Retail
Is there a future for a place like University Video Inc?
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Surprisingly, yes. The "retail apocalypse" actually helped the survivors. When five competitors in a ten-mile radius close down, the last one standing inherits the entire local market. As long as people value privacy, tactile shopping, and immediate gratification, these brick-and-mortar spots will have a role.
The biggest challenge isn't the internet anymore; it's real estate taxes. As Fort Lauderdale's property values skyrocket, the land the store sits on might eventually become more valuable than the business itself. But for now, it remains a gritty, neon-lit part of the city's character.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you are planning to visit or are interested in how these businesses operate, keep these points in mind:
- Check the hours: Many adult stores in South Florida have adjusted their hours post-pandemic. Don't assume they are open 24/7 like they used to be.
- Privacy is a two-way street: Most of these establishments have strict "no filming/no photos" policies to protect the privacy of their patrons. Respect the rules.
- Ask for recommendations: The staff at long-running shops like University Video Inc usually know their inventory better than any online review bot. They can steer you toward higher-quality materials (like medical-grade silicone) and away from cheaper, porous plastics.
- Support local: If you value having physical shops in your community rather than just massive corporate warehouses, these independent retailers are where that starts.
University Video Inc represents a specific slice of Florida history—a mix of entrepreneurship, resilience, and a refusal to be "disrupted" by the digital age. It's a reminder that sometimes, the old way of doing things still works if you're stubborn enough to stay the course.
To understand the local impact of such businesses, one can look at the tax records and small business filings in Broward County, which show that these "video" stores often contribute significantly more to the local tax base than their modest exteriors suggest. They are quiet engines of the local service economy, employing residents and occupying commercial spaces that might otherwise sit vacant in a shifting retail market.