“We were already the last Blockbuster in America so we got lots of attention,” Harding says. And According to CNN, the store’s general manager, Sandi Harding, has found yet another novel way to keep business booming despite a global pandemic: the Blockbuster can now be rented out on AirBnb for nostalgia-laden sleepovers. This store will likely become even more of a tourist attraction than it was before – now that it really, truly, literally is the final Blockbuster. Similar to the fact that not all cola is Coca-Cola, and not all plasters are band-aids, even though it's the collective term most people use for video rental stores, not all of them are Blockbusters. High quality Blockbuster gifts and merchandise. The Last Surviving Blockbuster Store Is Listed On Airbnb For Nostalgic ’90s Sleepovers An unlimited movie marathon is included with each stay! Blockbuster, officially Blockbuster LLC and also known as Blockbuster Video, is an American-based provider of home movie and video game rental services. Although Sandi Harding, the general manager of the Oregon Blockbuster, is excited that hers is the last Blockbuster on the planet, she expressed her condolences for … With Sandi Harding, Kevin Smith, Ione Skye, Brian Posehn. Services were offered primarily at video rental shops, but later alternatives included DVD-by-mail, streaming, video on demand, and cinema theater. You Can Rent The Last Blockbuster Store In The U.S. On Airbnb Unlimited candy, a closet full of denim clothing, and all the VHS movies you can watch. In the age of Netflix and other digital streaming platforms, Harding credits her store’s success to both local support and Bend’s budding tourism industry. By Josh Coulson Aug 02, 2020 There is still one last Blockbuster store left in the world, and it is selling merch in an attempt to make enough money to … In fact, at the time, there were 12 stores still operating. Bend, Oregan is home to the last remaining Blockbuster in the whole world and thanks to faithful video customers it’s managed to survive the total domination of streaming giants. During its heyday, Blockbuster destroyed mom-and-pop shops with its superior technology and shark-like tactics. They did get close. Harding, seizing the moment, upped her merch game. Customers can pick up a bumper sticker that reads “I survived along with the last Blockbuster”. With Sandi Harding, Kevin Smith, Ione Skye, Brian Posehn. People ask why the last Blockbuster store in the world should be in Bend, Oregon. The last Blockbuster store is a beacon for movie nostalgia. New York Post 19 mins ago. Suddenly, it was, as the title of his new film would suggest: “The Last Blockbuster” (now available on Amazon). The last Blockbuster store is a beacon for movie nostalgia. But the store isn’t just a pitstop for schlocky Instagram fodder. The world's last Blockbuster video store in Bend, Oregon, is available to rent for a once-in-a-lifetime, 90s themed sleepover -- complete with VHS tapes and a sofabed. Blockbuster’s only remaining Australian store is closing on March 31st, meaning the Blockbuster located in Bend, Oregon will soon be the last Blockbuster in the world. “It’s an experience. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Yes, Netflix and streaming played a part in its demise, but so did poor business decisions. By Adam Barnhardt - April 27, 2020 05:18 pm EDT. At the end of 2017, there were seven Blockbusters left in the US, but by early 2019 it was just us and one other store in Perth, Australia, in the world. Michael B. 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Known as the “Blockbuster mom,” Harding is a superhero in blue and khaki, keeping the time capsule afloat with an almost religious devotion. 166,463, This story has been shared 151,199 times. The last Blockbuster on Earth remains open for business, despite competition from online services like Netflix and other threats. He was so happy to be there,” said Morden. The last on earth Blockbuster. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining lists. Well, if you miss that experience, you might be able to soak it all in again as the last Blockbuster store in the world, located in Bend, Oregon, has been temporarily converted into its Airbnb rental .The store’s manager, Sandi Harding, is putting it up for three one-night stays in September – but only to residents of Deschutes County in Bend. Come April 2019, the Blockbuster in Oregon will take on the title of the last Blockbuster video store … I think it’s the perfect storm: we’ve got the ideal location on Main Street, in a town geared towards tourism. Located in Bend, Oregon, the last Blockbuster location on Earth is continuing to compete with Netflix and making changes to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. While making the movie, Kamm recorded podcasts in the store with the town’s quirky film critic, and they interviewed tourists who came from far and wide, including a man who drove 15 hours from San Diego and another who flew from Spain just to walk the aisles of the store. The Bristol-born writer graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Journalism during the summer of 2014 and has continued to pursue his love of the field ever since. 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Unapologetically peppered with ’80s and ’90s nostalgia, the documentary is a delightful rewind of the movie rental store’s golden era told through the lens of the Bend Blockbuster Video, now independently owned and run and still chugging away amidst the pandemic. That's why the store has decided to start selling merchandise. For the good people of Bend, Oregon, those memories are far more recent than they are for the rest of the world. The world's last-ever Blockbuster is selling merch to help it make money, including hats, t-shirts, and novelty cups. Whether the store still has a dedicated group of customers that returns on a regular basis to rent movies, or if it relies largely on the novelty of being the world's last remaining Blockbuster. The chain’s infamous no-late-fees campaign in 2005 cost it more than $250 million in sales overnight, according to the film. Morden and writer Zeke Kamm, 49, cushion the hard business storylines with feel-good throwbacks to the video-store era, such as the simple pleasure of reading the back of a VHS tape, something completely foreign to the tech-savvy TikTok generation. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Those Alaska … Featured Best selling Alphabetically, A-Z Alphabetically, Z-A Price, low to high Price, high to low Date, old to new Date, new to old The last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon Courtesy Everett Collection. Bend's Blockbuster might still be open, but chances are it isn't exactly thriving. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights PREVIOUSLY: Oregon Blockbuster Store Will Be The Last On Earth At The End Of March. A documentary on the last remaining Blockbuster Video in Bend, Oregon. SIGN UP – World’s Last Blockbuster Store Turns Into Airbnb Rental Property. Sitemap The world's last Blockbuster video store in Bend, Oregon, is available to rent for a once-in-a-lifetime, 90s themed sleepover -- complete with VHS tapes and a sofabed. “It was like no one had told them Blockbuster had gone out of business.”. Your Ad Choices Overnight, everything changed. Exterior of the last Blockbuster video store. Leaning into the novelty of its imminent demise, the store has begun selling merch in addition to rental films. The prices aren't exactly high either, and cost what anyone would expect to pay for a souvenir from a tourist attraction. “The Spaniard was in tears. The Last Blockbuster Store Has Kept Its Doors Open Through It All. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BristolBeadz to keep up with all of his latest articles on The Richest. Sandi Harding, the manager of the world's last Blockbuster store, has listed the Bend, Oregon, store on Airbnb, offering movie lovers of a certain age the … Meanwhile, hoodies, caps, and t-shirts with the company logo pose as future collector’s items when the franchise eventually dies. Visitors to the last ever Blockbuster can buy t-shirts, cups, key rings, even a Blockbuster party game that comes in a retro VHS case. When Taylor Morden moved to Bend, Oregon, five years ago, he noticed there was a Blockbuster Video store in one of the town’s strip malls. Yes, Netflix and streaming played a part in its demise, but so did poor business decisions. During its heyday, Blockbuster destroyed mom-and-pop shops with its superior technology and shark-like tactics. Directed by Taylor Morden. The world's last-ever Blockbuster is selling merch to help it make money, including hats, t-shirts, and novelty cups. Alaska's last two Blockbuster stores -- one in Anchorage and another in Fairbanks -- announced they would officially close on Sunday. Blockbuster Morley owner Lyn Borszeky. Blockbuster … Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest Reddit VKontakte Odnoklassniki Pocket Skype Messenger Messenger WhatsApp Telegram Viber Line Share via Email Print. The Last Blockbuster Store Is Still Open During Coronavirus Pandemic. The Bend store is the last remaining Blockbuster in operation in the United States after two stores in Alaska closed earlier this week. "The Last Blockbuster is a fun, nostalgic look back at the era of video rentals and the story of how one small town video store managed to outlast a corporate giant. This story has been shared 151,199 times. I wonder if the last remaining store in Bend, Oregon wiil accept my old Blockbuster card. It’s reliving the memories of some of the best nights of my life back when I was a teenager in the ’90s,” said Morden. “We fell in love with Sandi in the process,” said Kamm. The 20-year-old Blockbuster store in Oregon, is the last remaining store in the once popular video rental chain which had over 9000 stores at one time. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. After the last couple Blockbusters closed in Alaska in 2018, the Bend store celebrated becoming the sole Blockbuster in America by selling T-shirts and hats, Harding said. December 17, 2020 2. This fun, nostalgic documentary follows the manager of the last Blockbuster as she struggles to keep the store open and reveals why Blockbuster corporate really went out of business. Suddenly everyone wanted to visit this store. I n less than a month’s time, there will officially only be one Blockbuster store left in the entire world. 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