An (Almost) End To An Era

October 19th, 1985 was a momentous day that would shape the early 90’s and 2000’s in a way no one could expected. That was the day the first ever Blockbuster store opened. Located in Dallas, Texas, this movie rental chain became a family staple for movie night. We could pick up the newest releases and return them within 2-4 nights, unless you wanted to get hit with a fine of course. When you were done, you’d simply slip the video back to the store and pick up your next “must-watch.” It expanded to video game rentals, and was so much more than any 90’s kid could ever ask for.

And then, streaming services killed Blockbuster. Stores began shutting down one by one as business fell. The company was bought out by Dish Network, and they made the corporate decision to close the remaining 300 stores it had across the nation.

But that didn’t stop one little engine (or Blockbuster) that could. That’s right, theres now only ONE Blockbuster left in the whole world, and it’s become a tourist staple. This Oregon-located store is the only man standing after two Blockbusters recently closed in Alaska. The amount of nostalgia that customers claim to feel by entering the store is apparently what’s keeping business booming.

General Manager Sandi Harding told Time that “we’re still just giving great customer service, and having the movies, and just doing our thing.” I have a feeling that Oregon is about to be a new stop on everyone’s bucket list when traveling across the American countryside.