Believe it or not, Blockbuster still exists. If you were a '90s kid like me, Blockbuster was your life. I still have fond memories of chasing my younger brother around the aisles, talking about different movies with my dad, and begging my parents to buy overpriced candy in the checkout aisle.
(Nostalgia intensifies)
From 1985-2004, the video rental giant expanded to more than 9,000 stores worldwide. Like all empires, however, the rise of a more agile competitor called Netflix brought them to a crashing halt. By 2013, the last 300 stores closed and the famed blue logo signs disappeared overnight.
Today, only one remains. Located in Bend, Oregon, it has managed to survive thanks to strong community support and video connoisseurs who make routine pilgrimages to the store.
Due to lockdowns, the revenue from these tourists has dwindled, but with the store celebrating its 20th anniversary, manager Sandi Harding decided to list the store on Airbnb for three 1990s-themed nights in September as a promotion and as a way to give back to the community that has kept them afloat:
As the last standing location in the world, our BLOCKBUSTER store is an ode to movie magic, simpler times and the sense of community that could once be found in BLOCKBUSTER locations around the world. Over the past few months, we've been missing the regular visits from friends, neighbors and tourists from around the world. So, we're opening our store to three quarantine pods of Deschutes County guests for a socially-distanced movie night, just like those of decades past!
The store will be set up with a living room and sleeping area, complete with a VHS player and old-school entertainment center, a boom box, a full lineup of '90s movies and games, and '90s-era decor.
Guests will have full access to the store, including all snacks and the staff break room.
How much will this cost? Believe it or not, only $4 for a night.
Only Deschutes County residents can reserve one of the three nights (September 18-20), which will go on sale starting August 17 at 1pm EST. I expect the spots to sell fast.
