The Last Blockbuster

The last Blockbuster video rental store in America is in Bend, Oregon. In a recent viral video, it vows to survive the apocalypse, like the mighty cockaroach:

After the video appeared on social media, business at the shop increased 200%.

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Top image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Blockbuster Waives Late Fees, Waves Goodbye

The last 300 Blockbuster Video stores will close by the end of the year. The brand will live on in the video-streaming service of parent company Dish Network and on the facades of 50 stores owned by franchisees. The Blockbuster video rental chain was once the country’s largest, with 60,000 employees and 9,000 stores.

More:

“OBITUARY: Blockbuster Video: 1985-2013,” Alex Pappademas, Grantland 

“I Loved You, Blockbuster,” Alexis C. Madrigal, The Atlantic

“The miseries and pleasures of Blockbuster Video,” By Dana Stevens, Slate

“As Blockbuster Prepares To Close, Fans Line Up To Stock Video Libraries,” CBS Los Angeles

“Why Blockbuster’s Death Doesn’t Matter,” Daniel Carlson, Pajiba

“Blockbuster closure could cost Dish $30M,” L. Wayne Hicks, Denver Business Journal

Historic Capitol Hill

Archaeologists excavating the site of an abandoned Blockbuster store on Washington’s Barracks Row have uncovered the ruins of an ancient Erol’s Video Club (above). This DC-area cult flourished in the late 20th century and involved contemplation of moving images and veneration of magnetized plastic tape.