Blockbuster Video was once a household name, with over 9,000 locations worldwide. It all began in 1985 when David Cook opened the first Blockbuster store in Dallas, Texas.
By 1994, the company had become one of the largest video rental chains in the world. People flocked to their stores to rent movies and games for a weekend’s entertainment.
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With their iconic blue and yellow logo and trademarked “no late fees” policy, Blockbuster quickly became synonymous with home entertainment. However, the rise of digital media began to take its toll on Blockbuster’s profits.
While other companies such as Netflix shifted their focus toward streaming services, Blockbuster remained heavily reliant on physical media rentals. Despite attempts to keep up with the times by creating an online DVD rental service and partnering with TiVo for digital distribution, they filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
Overview of Bend, Oregon
Bend is a small city located in central Oregon known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and skiing. It has a population of just over 100,000 people and is home to several breweries and restaurants. While it might seem like an unusual location for a surviving Blockbuster store, there are several factors that have contributed to its resilience.
How Blockbuster Became a Cultural Phenomenon
Blockbuster was not just a video rental chain – it was also a cultural phenomenon that shaped how we consumed media at home. Going to your local Blockbuster on Friday night was once a cherished tradition for families or couples looking for something entertaining to watch over the weekend.
The experience of browsing through rows of DVDs or VHS tapes while trying not to knock over any displays was part of the fun. Blockbuster’s “no late fees” policy and its wide selection of titles made it easy for customers to find something they wanted to watch.
The cultural impact of Blockbuster can still be seen today. For example, the last surviving Blockbuster store in Bend has become a tourist attraction, with people coming from all over the world to experience a blast from the past and rent movies or games.
It has even been featured in documentaries and news stories. The nostalgia factor is strong, and for many people, visiting a Blockbuster store brings back fond memories of simpler times.
The Rise and Fall of Blockbuster Video
The Early Years: How Blockbuster Grew to Dominate the Video Rental Market
Blockbuster Video was founded in 1985 by David Cook with the goal of creating a one-stop shop for video rentals. The company quickly expanded, offering a wide variety of movies and video games to rent at competitive prices.
In 1987, Blockbuster became a publicly traded company, and by the early 1990s, it had over 2,800 stores worldwide. One key factor that contributed to Blockbuster’s success was its focus on franchising.
Franchise owners were given extensive training and support from corporate headquarters, ensuring that each store offered a consistent customer experience. Additionally, franchise owners were responsible for managing their own inventory, which allowed them to tailor their selection based on local demand.
The Challenges: Competition from Streaming Services and Declining Demand for Physical Media
In the late 2000s, streaming services such as Netflix began to gain popularity. These services offered customers instant access to movies and TV shows without the need to leave home or return physical media.
As more customers turned to streaming services, demand for physical media declined rapidly. Blockbuster attempted to compete with streaming services by launching its own online rental service in 2004.
However, due to high costs and poor execution, the service failed to gain traction. Additionally, Blockbuster faced competition from other brick-and-mortar rental stores such as Hollywood Video.
The Decline: The Bankruptcy and Eventual Closure of Most Blockbuster Locations
By 2010, Blockbuster had filed for bankruptcy due in large part to its inability to keep up with changing consumer trends. The company closed hundreds of stores across the country as it struggled with debt and declining revenue.
In 2013, Dish Network purchased Blockbuster’s remaining assets, including its brand name and intellectual property. Today, there is only one Blockbuster location still in operation – the store located in Bend, Oregon.
Bend, Oregon’s Last Blockbuster Video Store
How it survived: the unique factors that allowed this store to stay open while others closed down
In a world where digital streaming has become the preferred method of entertainment consumption, it is a wonder that Bend, Oregon’s last remaining Blockbuster video store has managed to survive. The store is owned by Sandy Harding, who has been managing the location for over 14 years.
According to Harding, one of the key factors that allowed this store to stay open is its strong relationship with the local community. She explains that Bend residents are fiercely loyal and have fond memories of renting movies from this location.
In addition, the store offers a unique selection of movies and TV shows that cannot be found on popular streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu. Another factor that has contributed to its survival is its franchise agreement with Blockbuster corporate headquarters.
While most Blockbuster locations were owned and operated by franchisees who had to pay high fees and adhere to strict rules set by corporate headquarters, Harding’s location is one of only a few stores in the world now fully licensed by Blockbuster itself. This agreement helps keep costs low and allows Bend’s last Blockbuster video store access to exclusive releases.
What makes it special: the nostalgia factor and loyal customer base
The nostalgia factor is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why people come from far and wide just to visit Bend’s last remaining Blockbuster video store. For many millennials who grew up watching VHS tapes or DVDs rented from their local video rental stores, walking into this particular location feels like stepping back in time.
The familiar blue-and-yellow color scheme combined with rows upon rows of physical copies creates an atmosphere that simply cannot be replicated through online streaming. But what really sets this particular location apart is its loyal customer base.
As mentioned earlier, many years ago residents would come to this location on a regular basis. While the number of visitors has decreased in recent years, those that still frequent the store have formed a community around it.
The employees know their regulars by name and go out of their way to recommend movies and show they know they will enjoy. It’s this personalized touch that has fostered such a strong sense of loyalty among Bend residents.
The impact on the community: how this store has become a cultural icon in Bend
Despite the fact that streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have long since replaced physical media as the preferred mode of entertainment consumption, Bend’s last Blockbuster video store remains an important part of the local culture. Its loyal customer base has spread the word far and wide about its unique selection, charmingly retro atmosphere, and friendly staff. The location itself is even something of a tourist attraction with visitors from around the world making pilgrimages just to experience renting a DVD from one of America’s last remaining Blockbuster stores.
In addition to being a local cultural icon, Bend’s last Blockbuster video store also contributes to local charities through donations from t-shirt sales and other merchandise sales, further endearing itself to residents who appreciate its commitment to giving back to its community. The lasting impact of this unassuming retail space on Bend’s community is certainly unparalleled but only time will tell if it can continue holding its own against an onslaught from digital media consumption trends.
Inside Look at Bend’s Last Blockbuster Video Store
A Tour of the Store’s Layout and Offerings
Walking into Bend’s last Blockbuster store is like taking a step back in time. The store is lined with shelves upon shelves of DVDs and Blu-rays, organized by genre and release date.
In the center of the store, there are racks filled with new releases, and posters advertising upcoming titles. The walls are adorned with movie memorabilia, including giant cardboard cutouts of famous actors and movie posters from classic films.
The layout of the store is simple but effective. Customers enter through a small foyer that leads to the main showroom.
There is a checkout counter on one side of the room, where customers can rent movies or buy snacks like popcorn or candy. To the left of the entrance, there is a small section dedicated to video game rentals for various platforms.
Interviews with Employees About Their Experiences Working at a Surviving Blockbuster Location
The employees at Bend’s last Blockbuster location are passionate about their work and take pride in keeping this cultural phenomenon alive. One employee we spoke to said that working at Blockbuster has been a dream come true for them since they were young.
Despite facing challenges like declining demand for physical media and competition from streaming services, these employees remain dedicated to providing excellent customer service and sharing their love for movies with others. They enjoy recommending films based on customers’ tastes, discussing plot points with regulars, and helping families find movies that everyone can enjoy together.
Customer Testimonials About Why They Continue to Rent From This Store
For many customers in Bend, renting from this Blockbuster location has become more than just an occasional trip to rent a movie – it has become a beloved tradition. Some people continue to choose physical media over streaming services because they enjoy browsing through titles, seeing the cover art on the packaging, and holding a physical copy of the movie in their hands.
Others appreciate the nostalgia factor, reminiscing about childhood memories of renting movies with their families. Some customers even make a special trip to Bend just to visit this last remaining Blockbuster location and relive those memories.
But perhaps most importantly, customers appreciate the sense of community that this store provides. It has become a gathering place for movie lovers in Bend, where people can come together to talk about their favorite films with like-minded individuals.
The importance of preserving cultural touchstones like Bend’s last remaining location
The last surviving Blockbuster store has become more than just a video rental store – it is now an essential part of Bend’s cultural identity. It serves as proof that there are still aspects of our past worth preserving – even if they seem outdated or obsolete.
Preserving cultural touchstones such as Bend’s last remaining location is vital because it allows us to stay connected with our past and learn from history. The store offers customers a unique experience by bringing back memories from their youth while also providing opportunities for younger generations who may have never experienced what renting from a video store was like.
Furthermore, this small-town location has shown us that sometimes it can be beneficial for businesses not always to prioritize growth but instead focus on building community loyalty and offering excellent customer service. By doing so, they solidify their place within their community and offer authentic experiences that are invaluable in today’s fast-paced world.
The optimistic spin
Despite its decline and eventual closure, Blockbuster’s legacy remains deeply entrenched in American culture. While Bend’s last remaining location may be the only physical remnant of that legacy, it serves as a reminder that there are still aspects of our past worth preserving – even if they seem outdated or obsolete. Moreover, the rise of streaming services has opened up new opportunities for innovation and business growth.
As we move forward, it is essential to remember the lessons learned from Blockbuster’s story – to be adaptable, innovative, and customer-focused. Ultimately, the future of entertainment may look vastly different from what it once was – but that doesn’t mean we have to forget where we came from.
Conclusion
As we bid farewell to most of Blockbuster’s stores, we cannot deny the impact that Blockbuster had on American culture. At its peak, Blockbuster was a staple of American entertainment. It provided families with opportunities to bond over movie nights and gave film enthusiasts a chance to discover hidden gems.
Although physical media has lost much of its relevance due to streaming services, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for the days when you had to go out and rent a movie. The walls lined with new releases, the candy section at the checkout counter – all these things made going to Blockbuster an experience in itself.
Moreover, looking back at how Blockbuster grew and eventually fell is a lesson in business innovation and strategic decision-making. It is evident that businesses must be able to adapt quickly as markets evolve or risk being left behind.
