they are in danger
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/331218/Blockbuster-Closing-Hundreds-More-Stores-Than-Planned?tickers=bbi,nflx,cmcsa,twc,goog
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/09/blockbuster-more-than-doubles-planned-store-closures.html
too. VHS ....was the poop!
I will miss their overpriced ice cream. :insane: My Blockbuster is in the process of becoming a Gap.
our blockbuster beter not close
I really can't understand how any Blockbuster stores are still open. The one near me is dead, and closes very early now on weekdays. I would not be surprised if it closes soon. With Netflix and Redbox being so cheap, I bet the whole company is going to fold before the start of 2010. Face it, video stores are a thing of the past.
the one by me downsized i thin with in the next year or so they will go out video/dvd renting is a thing of the past
The one in Rocky Hill is closing down. They have "Going out of business" signs all over the place
haha ours ant going anware
Newington, CT is also closing down as well.
The Medford, NY closed as well. Whatever, it was in a horrible location.
give me a list of all of them closing
Alot of the stores are starting their closing sales, but no official closing list has been released yet.
Warwick RI closing soon!!
Coventry RI closed 2 yrs ago
I'm surprised that they haven't closed earlier.
In Toledo, one of the Blockbusters hardly has any cars (even during the peak days of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Yet the Family Video do the road has a full parking lot on those days and lots of cars on the other days...
Family Video, which is a regional video store privately-held and run by (you guessed it) a family, continues to thrive in this economy.
Unlike Blockbuster's prices of over 3 dollars to rent a new release, Family Video offers new release rentals starting at $2.75. Other video rentals start at $1.99. Children's movies are free... how Blockbuster compete with that?
I see a total collapse of Blockbuster within the next year and half or two years.
the Blockbuster by me is closeing 50%off :hurt: a pic will come:holysh:
i went past mine and evey day they had at leasrt 5 to 10 cars in ther parking lot so ther keepign busy hoping they dont close
Well, just as I suspected the Blockbuster near me is closing. Saw people on the corner waving 50% off signs. Good riddance.
It appears the one in Bristol, CT is staying open. There are no closing signs on the building or on in the windows. They're in the same plaza as Price Chopper (ex KMART, Caldor, and Grants). They opened in 91.
Lots of blockbusters closing around the philly area. I need to see if the one by me is open or closin.
Lots in NH are going out with signs saying stores closing
Not sure if the one near my house is closing... however, the store has handmade signs promoting 5 movies for $20. While I didn't see the standard liquidation signs, there are "landlord" signs stating that "prime business locations available" and "will subdivide" are on 3 of the four sides of the building.
If the store closed, it wouldn't be a shock... the Family Video down the road does a much better business and has much better customer service that Blockbuster could only wish to have
my store dotn look like ther close to closeing it still looks busy all the time
I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the two Nice-N-Easy convenience stores here in Ogdensburg (NY) each have a "Blockbuster Express" machine in them.
Big Y has also input these "Blockbuster Express" machines in their stores. They're about 3 years behind everyone else.
Sorry Blockbuster, but laughing and sitting idle thinking RedBox and Netflix was just a fad was a HUGE fatal error.
Plus, memberships are a pain in the ass. Late fees too.
I never see anyone go into our local Blockbuster so I'm not quite sure how they stay afloat, especially when you can get any movie for free online streaming or just download it : /
Saves the drive, money, and time of trying to find a video you've wanted for years lol
The one in Nashua NH near Royal Ridge Mall is GOB
also this is the one in Hudson NH
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/?action=view¤t=JoesPictures1338.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/JoesPictures1338.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
It's official... the Springfield, PA Blockbuster is now closing. Someone crashed a car into this store a while back. Wayne, PA is already down. One in West Philadelphia closed a long time ago. Now the other one down the road is winding down.
Quote from: nims57 on April 07, 2010, 10:37:51 PM
One in West Philadelphia closed a long time ago.
*Plays the Will Smith Song* In West Philadelphia Born and Raised................. :D
why is Blockbuster shutting down some? And recently I had a dream that I was in a blockbuster and was in a bad mood and I threw a book at someones arm and the clerk saw it and I got banned, si that what would happen in real life? abnd anything else?
I saw that the one in Epping is gone
I saw a Blockbuster in Brunswick NJ vacant and the ones in South Nashua, Londonderry and Epping are gone
why is Blockbuster shutting down some? And recently I had a dream that I was in a blockbuster and was in a bad mood and I threw a book at someones arm and the clerk saw it and I got banned, si that what would happen in real life? abnd anything else?
Keene, NH will be gone next week. Store is almost empty already.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/CorporateA/more/block001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/CorporateA/more/block002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v41/CorporateA/more/block003.jpg)
Whoever sells those yellow Store Closing banners must be making bank.
I was shocked to see that Blockbuster is closing their Bishop's Corner/West Hartford store on N. Main Street. They are doing a store closing sale now.
I heard there's not a whole lot in that plaza. What's left?
Quote from: ynkeesfn82 on June 14, 2010, 05:01:15 PM
I heard there's not a whole lot in that plaza. What's left?
Marshall's, D'Angelo (just opened), Iparty, and a number of small shops including Subway, Sleepy's, etc. There's not many big retailers in the Waldbaums plaza either.
why is Block buster closing so many stores, I saw that the ones in North REading Mass is gone, what others are gone
and of that dream I had of throwing a book at someones arm there, what if I Did that in real life, what would happen to me?
Quote from: d_fife on June 16, 2010, 12:50:30 AM
why is Block buster closing so many stores
Netflix and Redbox are destroying their business model. One has an infinitely huge library of DVDs to rent, the other is even more accessible and cheaper than Blockbuster.
Blockbuster is a retail dinosaur.
Plainville, Connecticut store is closing. Store is located at the at Route 10 and Farmington Avenue in a building (shared with CVS) that used to be Greenfield's Supermarket which became BIG Y. Big Y moved to New Britain Avenue in 1993 becoming the first World Class Big Y in Connecticut.
They must've told the landlord they were closing long before the store closing signs went up because there has been a sign up from a real estate company on the property for a few months now.
Plainville is closed. Sign is even off the building.
Quote from: ynkeesfn82 on August 05, 2010, 07:36:01 AM
Plainville is closed. Sign is even off the building.
will they really go out and what I do grab a book in the store and throw it at the random person's arm
can they adapt to compete with Netflix and stuff?
They already have they are putting blocbuster express kiosks all over indiana now
Rumor has it they are only a few weeks away from a bankruptcy filing (they have been pushing it off for years now)....expect many more store closures, if they don't fold completely. I doubt they make much money from the Blockbuster Kiosks....from what I understand, they are handled by an outside company anyway.
This chain is getting hit hard by Redbox and Netflix, just recently they closed a Blockbuster in the Stop & Shop plaza, only one left is the one on East Main Street! :(
On September 23, 2010, Blockbuster filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, due to challenging losses, $900 million dollars in debt, and strong competitors from Red Box, Netflix, and cable on-demand. Blockbuster says they will keep their 3,300 stores up and running for the time being. Hollywood video filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year with a similar reason to Blockbusters
The end seems to be near.
Sure they say they will keep their stores open, but lets see how long that lasts.
As of right now the 3 blockbusters that I knew near me, 1 is still open, 1 is a moviestop and the other one is now becoming an advanced auto parts.
i have been to 4 blockbusters and they all were dead no one in their and they were in high populated areas except one one had a few people and its the only one still open the reason is most people dont need blockbuster theirs those 1 dollar dvd rental machines in a crap load of supermarkets and the local library has alot of games and dvds for free not to mention all of the movies free to watch online and on demand and ... im going to stop their you get my point why would anyone want to pay for over priced dvd rentals with all the much better options?
The one in New Britain, CT closed down. Not sure when. I don't get to New Britain very often and never went to the shopping center where they were located - The Columbus Plaza on Columbus BLVD.
Meanwhile with the closure of the Plainville, CT store they have put a kiosk at both Big Y Supermarket on New Britain Avenue and the XTRA MART Conveinence store also on New Britain Avenue. This is according to their website. I haven't been to Big Y in a while, so I've never seen it.
There's also one in Kensington at Roger's Marketplace IGA grocery store on the Chamberlain Highway.
Bristol and Southington both remain open. But for how long? Bristol opened in 1991 so if they signed a 20 year lease they could close next year. I don't know for sure how long their lease is for. Just speculation on my part. The strange thing they did in Southington (and this was years ago) was move from Queen Street (Route 10) to downtown (still on Route 10 though) on Main Street.
Meanwhile they just put in a Redbox at the new Shoprite on Queen Street in Southington, but as of 11PM Monday it hadn't been hooked up. Maybe it's hooked up now since new DVDs come out on Tuesdays. Walmart had "Bluebox" but it's gone now. So now the 3 major grocery stores on Route 10 in Southington all have Redbox - Shoprite, Price Chopper, and Stop & Shop.
It's official the remaining Blockbuster on East Main street is now also closed, sad. That store lasted a long time and now it's gone! :-[
The North Windham, ME location is closing.
they just did blockbuster over in my town stoped renting playstation 2
games uggg ther probley wont last long
Blockbuster of Colchester, CT is closing. Just announced last week. That was a busy store too. Probably one of the very few that were still turning profits.
Is there a list of which ones are closing this round? Two around here are closing...wondering if there's any more.
Back in the day, Blockbuster Video was the Wal-Mart of video store chains. Now, thanks to heavy competition from Redbox and Netflix, all of the remaining Blockbuster Video stores are closing.
Here are some news articles from across the country about the Blockbuster Video store closings:
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110223/GPG03/102230756/0/GPG0706/Blockbuster-agrees-sale-Green-Bay-stores-close?odyssey=nav%7Chead (http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110223/GPG03/102230756/0/GPG0706/Blockbuster-agrees-sale-Green-Bay-stores-close?odyssey=nav%7Chead)
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/03/11/blockbuster-lives-to-rent-another-day.aspx (http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/03/11/blockbuster-lives-to-rent-another-day.aspx)
http://foresthills.patch.com/articles/forest-hills-blockbuster-video-closing (http://foresthills.patch.com/articles/forest-hills-blockbuster-video-closing)
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110311005868/en/Court-Approves-Bidding-Procedures-Sale-Blockbuster (http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110311005868/en/Court-Approves-Bidding-Procedures-Sale-Blockbuster)
http://www.thestreet.com/story/11033915/1/will-blockbuster-be-forced-to-liquidate.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN (http://www.thestreet.com/story/11033915/1/will-blockbuster-be-forced-to-liquidate.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN)
...And, for some added nostalgia, some classic Blockbuster Video commercials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V092fX76FLI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V092fX76FLI)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEfDuoJmBno&NR=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEfDuoJmBno&NR=1)
The Blockbuster near me in Bensalem, PA closed last week.
186 more Blockbuster locations are closing starting next week, bringing the total since last September's bankruptcy filing to 1,145. Has anyone come across a revised list of store closures? If Costar publishes one tomorrow I'll revise this message with a link.
Are there any even still open? I can't think of a single location in the greater Boston area that hasn't closed.
Quote from: Lastdaysofrain on March 30, 2011, 09:43:18 AM
Are there any even still open? I can't think of a single location in the greater Boston area that hasn't closed.
The only one i seen around the Hartford area is Manchester CT
Bristol, Connecticut is still open.
Well, it took a while, but here's the new list (starts on page 15)
http://www.costar.com/webimages/watchlist/WL4-7.pdf
There going to auction i heard Dish Network was intrested in them
Joe, you're a several days late. It was announced Dish Network won the bidding several days ago. (Late last week). :)
Part of the former Blockbuster Video in Plainville, CT is now a Verizon Wireless store.
Report: Dish Network to assume 500+ Blockbuster leases
New York City -- A report Monday by the Wall Street Journal said that Dish Network Corp. will assume leases on more than 500 Blockbuster stores after it completes its acquisition of the video-rental chain.
The lease takeovers will assure that Blockbuster will maintain some physical presence.
In a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, Blockbuster also listed hundreds of locations where it plans to reject leases, as its number of open stores continues to dwindle.
While there is no concrete information being released yet about how many Blockbuster stores will remain open, the court papers suggest that the latest round of closings will bring the number to around 1,000 open. As of early April, Blockbuster had either closed or initiated closings on nearly half of its stores and now has just over 1,700 locations.
Dish won a bankruptcy court auction this month for Blockbuster with a final bid of $320.6 million. The satellite-TV company hopes to close the deal by April 25, although the purchase agreement gives the company until May 5.
Dish has said it plans to keep some Blockbuster stores open.
Almost all of them closed here in VA...haven't checked DC, and MD I really don't care about or have paid attention.
I was serious with a girl for a month or so... almost two years ago, and although quite weird - another story for another time, but she spent most of her adult life working at Blockbuster. No joke. Nothing wrong with that, but she went insane over it and is now living in the Netherlands. Wow.
Quote from: david121 on May 01, 2011, 08:10:14 PM
Almost all of them closed here in VA...haven't checked DC, and MD I really don't care about or have paid attention.
I was serious with a girl for a month or so... almost two years ago, and although quite weird - another story for another time, but she spent most of her adult life working at Blockbuster. No joke. Nothing wrong with that, but she went insane over it and is now living in the Netherlands. Wow.
haha this sounds like a good story
All of ours are closed and I was able to get the last Blockbuster vinyl sign today as the sign guys had taken it down and threw it in the dumpster. I will use it for a tarp.
\Pictures\Blockbuster Video Sign.jpg
You have to wonder what Dish sees in Blockbuster. Right now they're giving away one month Total Access memberships with new Dish signups. I kind of doubt that's much of an incentive. How will this turn out any differently than The Wiz did for Cablevision?
The Blockbuster by my house closed down last year and also the Blockebuster on Transit road near Maple road closed as well as the one on Maint Street near Kensington Ave closed down recently
All of our stores closed earlier this year and most of them sit empty adding to the rest of the empty space we have from Linens & Things, KMart and many of the other chains that have all closed. And yet, we still keep building more strip malls.....
The Blockbuster here at East Main Street has recently became a Quest Diagnostics.
Our Blockbuster closed last fall and was remodeled into a Marices' young women's clothing stores for high school girls and college age women. Funny did the fire inspection for both over 6 years. Sad but they failedmto see the promise of Red Box. I always thought they should have jumped on the band wagon with blue boxes...many associate blue with blockbuster.
The remaining Blockbuster stores in Northeast Ohio, it seems, are closing down now. Here's a small blurb about the one here in Avon Lake, OH, and some commentary about the depleting tenancy of the Avon Lake Towne Center plaza:
http://avonlake.patch.com/articles/blockbuster-closing-in-avon-lake
(I'm not sure which "two other stores" were in Learwood Square. The only one I knew of was a VERY SMALL Movie Gallery, which went out when the chain folded.)
The former Blockbuster video on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington is going to become a Verizon Wireless store.
Quote from: TRU7536 on January 10, 2012, 06:30:00 PM
The former Blockbuster video on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington is going to become a Verizon Wireless store.
I would assume it would only take over part of the store like in Plainville.
I'm going to head up to the local Blockbuster tomorrow to check things out for myself, but they have a giant "STORE MOVING" banner hanging by the signage up above the entrance. Weird, since one article says it's flat-out closing, but the signs all say moving. Is "moving" a fancy word for "closing," like when shows go on hiatus, but are really cancelled?
If you look closely at the "Store Moving" signs, it says "visit us at our new address, www.blockbuster.com". Apparently it's Blockbuster's attempt to convince customers that they aren't completely going out of business, although the liquidation companies still have their own yellow "store closing" signs all over the store that they can't do anything about.
Meriden and Southington Connecticut stores are closing.
http://www.myrecordjournal.com/business/meriden/article_53689fd4-405c-11e1-907b-001871e3ce6c.html
I went up to Blockbuster at about 6:30 this evening, to find that, aside from the two employees working there, NOBODY was in the store. The deals, for what they're worth, aren't the greatest. Everything's at 10-30% off now, and nearly every movie in the store that, at some point, was a rental is now for sale at $9.99 each (30% off of $14.99, according to the signs). The fixtures are all for sale as well. The game selection was pretty weak.
I didn't really see anything too appealing (that I didn't already own), and, at $10/each for used movies, I can probably do better at the local Buyback$ store. The banners all over the outside do, in fact, feature the blockbuster.com address, but can they compete with Netflix on that front?
However, I did pick up volume 1 of "Lizzie McGuire," "Bring It On: In It To Win It," and the Blu-ray version of "Monte Carlo". Funny thing is that, at checkout, they still made me walk around to the exit door and handed me my movies over the counter.
And then there were two - Bangor and Yarmouth are the last surviving Blockbuster stores in Maine.
http://www.pressherald.com/business/blockbuster-stores-hang-closing-signs_2012-02-04.html
Driving around Bristol, Connecticut yesterday I noticed the "store closing" signs up on the windows of their store in The Annex Plaza. Sad, especially because they had a grand reopening sale a few months back. (I guess they remodeled or something. I remember the commercials on the radio a few months ago "Come by your local Blockbuster at 123 Farmington Avenue in Bristol and see our new look.") They're lease is also probably up too. They've been open close to 20 years over there.
I also believe they cut the store hours too. They used to be open until Midnight, however when I went to Price Chopper in the adjacent Bristol Commons Plaza last night around 10:45PM it looked like Blockbuster had already closed for the night.
Redbox is purchasing the Blockbuster Express kiosks, according to BBE's General Manager -
QuoteDear Valued Customer,
NCR, which operates your Blockbuster Express kiosks, has entered into an agreement to sell its kiosks and other assets to Redbox. Until the transaction is completed (we anticipate in the third quarter of 2012), you will continue to enjoy the convenience, choice, and value you're used to from BLOCKBUSTER Express. Until the sale is completed, we will continue to run the business as we have been, focused on bringing you the latest New Release movies with most titles only $2 for the first night. You'll also notice that we've increased our In-Stock Guarantee value so you will now enjoy a movie night on us with a value of up to $3 if we don't have the New Release movie you want in stock.
As a reminder, we still have 100s of great movies available at $1 and additional nights of all movies are still only $1, all part of preserving an exceptional value for an affordable night of entertainment.
We'll continue to provide you with information on any changes that result from this recent announcement but for now we just wanted to say thanks for being our customer.
Sincerely,
Justin Hotard
General Manager
The BLOCKBUSTER Express Team
Questions? Concerns? We're happy to help. Email us at service@blockbusterexpress.com or call us at 1-877-300-2128 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m. EST, 7 days a week.
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/redbox-to-acquire-the-assets-of-ncrs-entertainment-line-of-business-nasdaq-cstr-1615655.htm
After this sale goes through, what will be left of Blockbuster besides a few random stores and that Netflix-competing service? Also, Dish Network is promoting in their ads that you get 'unlimited exchanges in-store' with the Blockbuster At Home system. The only problem with that is there aren't any stores left!
It seems probable that the tenuous (at best) agreement with Blockbuster to use the BBE brand was a factor in NCR's decision to exit the kiosk business
http://www.homemediamagazine.com/blockbuster-express/rip-blockbuster-express-26346
I scored a great deal at the store closing sale in Bristol, CT. The DVD I wanted (Final Destination 4) was supposed to be $7.99, but it rang up for $1.99!!!!!!!!! Ca-ching!!!!!!!
Here in Northern Virginia, they all closed up VERY fast and were either replaced or are still sitting vacant with in a matter of weeks, this was a year or two ago but it was VERY quick.
The Cromwell, CT location is closing. I couldn't find an exact number of how many BB's are left in CT, but I did a store search on their website, and only 2 popped up. Cromwell (which is closing) and Meriden. Not sure if that one is or has closed as well.
Meriden is closing too.
Blockbuster is now closed and gone in Southington, Bristol, and Meriden Connecticut. In Bristol they already took the sign off the building and the ticket shaped logo that was on the sign in front of The Annex Plaza.
are there any open around the Hartford area??
Quote from: TRU7536 on April 01, 2012, 02:27:55 PM
are there any open around the Hartford area??
Does Waterbury count as the Hartford area? I think they're still open on Lakewood Road.
Took some shots of the former Bristol, CT Blockbuster. All exterior and interior shots were taken from the outside. The store closed the last week of March 2012. Two other photos didn't come out. And I didn't get the other side of the building due to 2 large dumpsters being there. The return slot has been removed as well.
Notice how in the 4th photo the Blockbuster sign is missing from the sign in front of the plaza. It was a sign that had the ticket shaped logo.
The Blockbuster in Temple Terrace is now a Beef O'Brady restaurant and across the street the Hollywood Video is now a Advance Auto.
Our last one in Lakeland closed a little over a week ago and the road sign has already been blacked out where the blockbuster name once was and the the labels taken off of the building. I will get pics on my next trip to that area.
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Bull-Moose-to-open-11th-store-in-South-Portland.html
Quote from: Marc B on April 07, 2012, 01:05:45 PM
Took some shots of the former Bristol, CT Blockbuster. All exterior and interior shots were taken from the outside. The store closed the last week of March 2012. Two other photos didn't come out. And I didn't get the other side of the building due to 2 large dumpsters being there. The return slot has been removed as well.
Notice how in the 4th photo the Blockbuster sign is missing from the sign in front of the plaza. It was a sign that had the ticket shaped logo.
Dang, what a shame I was hoping this location would last through the closings, I guess not now. I bet within 10 years all video stores will be closed. :-[
Quote from: CTAmeshopper on July 26, 2012, 09:36:32 PM
Quote from: Marc B on April 07, 2012, 01:05:45 PM
Took some shots of the former Bristol, CT Blockbuster. All exterior and interior shots were taken from the outside. The store closed the last week of March 2012. Two other photos didn't come out. And I didn't get the other side of the building due to 2 large dumpsters being there. The return slot has been removed as well.
Notice how in the 4th photo the Blockbuster sign is missing from the sign in front of the plaza. It was a sign that had the ticket shaped logo.
Dang, what a shame I was hoping this location would last through the closings, I guess not now. I bet within 10 years all video stores will be closed. :-[
10? I say 3 to 5 years top!
^ I say by 2014 all Blockbuster stores would be gone!
I think by late 2013 all vestiges of Blockbuster will be gone!!!!!
This is sad, it's the same chain that was booming from the early to late 1990s!!!
The DVD killed them.
^ I say YouTube killed Blockbuster!
I don't think most people use YouTube.
Redbox is what REALLY killed blockbuster. Your average consumer, the people who would shop at Blockbuster, are not very tech savvy, so even something like Netflix is a bit complicated for them. Most people don't even have computers still. But something like Redbox, which is at the supermarket already, is super convenient and cheaper than Blockbuster is really appealing to people.
Netflix, streaming, Amazon, cheaper purchases prices for media all were a factor, but since Redbox came into being, that really sped up Blockbuster's death.
With this string of closures, Family Video becomes top US video rental chain
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/blockbuster-close-300-stores-continues-offer-online-video/story?id=18285591
Funny I took these pics the other day, to post here saying how I always wonder how this is still open when I pass it.
The lettering once upon a time was yellow.
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3769/photo718.jpg)
(http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/3672/photo717g.jpg)
The aquarium and pet center is closing in the background (it has the teal awning), so if this blockbuster is one of the 300 locations to close, that would only leave "the works" hoagie place in the shopping center open. How even more sad!
Quote from: retailisking on January 22, 2013, 02:16:02 PM
With this string of closures, Family Video becomes top US video rental chain
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/blockbuster-close-300-stores-continues-offer-online-video/story?id=18285591
Looks like Family Video
is going to be the only video rental store chain left!
Our Blockbuster in downtown Wyandotte, MI, which closed in early 2011, is now a medical office (sadly, Wyandotte already has too many of these) and the one in neighboring Southgate at a strip mall (anchored by a CVS (former Arbor Drugs)), which closed around the same time as the Wyandotte store, has been divided into a Wild Bill's Tobacco and another store whose name I forgot. The Downriver area of Michigan is now down to just three Blockbusters, according to my 2012-13 Yellow Pages.
I checked the store locator on blockbuster.com, and found that there's ONE location near me, and that's about 14 miles away. I'm surprised they're still around!
I saw a lot of them in alaska
Dish Network has announced it is shutting down all remaining Blockbuster Video Locations and will also stop their Blockbuster by Mail Service.
http://www.wggb.com/2013/11/06/dish-to-close-rest-of-its-blockbuster-stores-in-us/
^ I was expecting the Blockbuster Video chain to close since many of their stores have closed in the last 5 years or so. I blame the presence of Redbox machines that are in stores like Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Walgreens, etc. for putting Blockbuster Video out of business.
And just the other day when I went to shoprite near me, passing the blockbuster I thought "How is it still open?"
Well seems like the end of the line has finally come.
Quote from: EddieJ1984 on January 22, 2013, 04:06:32 PM
Funny I took these pics the other day, to post here saying how I always wonder how this is still open when I pass it.
The lettering once upon a time was yellow.
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3769/photo718.jpg)
(http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/3672/photo717g.jpg)
The aquarium and pet center is closing in the background (it has the teal awning), so if this blockbuster is one of the 300 locations to close, that would only leave "the works" hoagie place in the shopping center open. How even more sad!
Oh yea just an update the aquarium is now a Save A Lot. Will be interesting to see what becomes of the blockbuster and when that happens.
About 50 franchised Blockbuster locations will remain, but you have to wonder for how much longer. I wonder what Dish got out of operating a network of retail stores. It couldn't have been a very attractive vehicle for cross-selling its DBS service or they would have kept the remaining stores open. The DVD-by-mail service either wasn't profitable or wasn't complementary to Dish's core business. I question the brand equity the Blockbuster name still had, even as a VOD service for Dish. All in all, a big waste of time and money.
Quote from: Pikapower on November 06, 2013, 02:53:24 PM
^ I was expecting the Blockbuster Video chain to close since many of their stores have closed in the last 5 years or so. I blame the presence of Redbox machines that are in stores like Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Walgreens, etc. for putting Blockbuster Video out of business.
Considering how many people I see using those redbox machines I can tell you dvd/blu ray rentals are still alive and doing well. I don't understand why people blame netflix and other online streaming sites for blockbusters demise it's simply not the case, if that was true redbox machines wouldn't be at every gas station, supermarket, or McDonald's in the neighborhood.
Yesterday was the last day for the one near me.
Only 51 franchised Blockbuster locations remain. They are located in Texas and Alaska.
Quote from: ShopKoFan on October 29, 2015, 08:12:36 PM
Only 51 franchised Blockbuster locations remain. They are located in Texas and Alaska.
I guess these "off the grid" people in Alaska go home with a stack of DVD's whenever they
come into town to do their shopping.
Quote from: TheFugitive on October 30, 2015, 10:12:48 AM
Quote from: ShopKoFan on October 29, 2015, 08:12:36 PM
Only 51 franchised Blockbuster locations remain. They are located in Texas and Alaska.
I guess these "off the grid" people in Alaska go home with a stack of DVD's whenever they
come into town to do their shopping.
Actually the surprising part is that there are places up there where they have electric and internet but still use outhouses!
I would guess possibly that the issue is that the internet is not as fast, so it works well for communication but not as well for things like watching a movie that require a higher speed? Also not likely that many areas outside the few "cities" would have cable due to the distances involved, so most probably have to use satellite if anything.
My wife has extended family in rural Alabama where their only internet choices are (incredibly expensive) Hughesnet satellite service, or dial-up.
I once rented a house in Michigan that had well water, but was on a city sewer line.
They actually strapped a meter to the well! That's the only way to figure out your sewer charge.
Quote from: TheFugitive on November 02, 2015, 01:42:43 PM
My wife has extended family in rural Alabama where their only internet choices are (incredibly expensive) Hughesnet satellite service, or dial-up.
I once rented a house in Michigan that had well water, but was on a city sewer line.
They actually strapped a meter to the well! That's the only way to figure out your sewer charge.
That makes some sense (the well and sewage) as finding the water is likely easier than disposing of the waste in some places.
Now why they don't just charge a flat fee per house/family or whatever instead of the meter thing, I don't know (as there are places that do that for both).
Quote from: TheFugitive on November 02, 2015, 01:42:43 PM
My wife has extended family in rural Alabama where their only internet choices are (incredibly expensive) Hughesnet satellite service, or dial-up.
Where exactly in rural Alabama? And did they have cable TV?
One of the former Blockbuster locations was big enough to be divided into three smaller spaces. The location on Mason Street in Green Bay was divided into Qdoba Mexican Grill, Noodles & Company, and Smart Cow Yogurt Bar.
Family Video has finally overtaken Blockbuster as the largest brick-and-mortar video store chain in the United States and Canada.
Number of locations for each store:
*Blockbuster: 51
*Family Video: 775
The former Blockbuster in Colchester CT was also a huge location. They are dividing into 3 units, a Starbucks is relocating from another location in town, an AT&T retailer and another store will open by end of winter.
Quote from: retailisking on November 07, 2013, 02:27:24 PM
About 50 franchised Blockbuster locations will remain, but you have to wonder for how much longer. I wonder what Dish got out of operating a network of retail stores. It couldn't have been a very attractive vehicle for cross-selling its DBS service or they would have kept the remaining stores open. The DVD-by-mail service either wasn't profitable or wasn't complementary to Dish's core business. I question the brand equity the Blockbuster name still had, even as a VOD service for Dish. All in all, a big waste of time and money.
Yeah, I also didn't see what Dish got from it. I don't think Dish had intention of keeping stores open or dvd-by-mail. After all, this was unwinding already from Blockbuster.
And, Dish couldn't make Blockbuster rival or overtake Netflix or Amazon in the streaming or VOD space, but perhaps that was the perceived intention of the purchase. But for Charlie Ergen, it was probably all chump change.
Quote from: zonemad96 on December 18, 2013, 03:40:27 PM
Quote from: Pikapower on November 06, 2013, 02:53:24 PM
^ I was expecting the Blockbuster Video chain to close since many of their stores have closed in the last 5 years or so. I blame the presence of Redbox machines that are in stores like Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Walgreens, etc. for putting Blockbuster Video out of business.
Considering how many people I see using those redbox machines I can tell you dvd/blu ray rentals are still alive and doing well. I don't understand why people blame netflix and other online streaming sites for blockbusters demise it's simply not the case, if that was true redbox machines wouldn't be at every gas station, supermarket, or McDonald's in the neighborhood.
I think it's a combination of factors, with Redbox more like a final nail in the coffin. Several Blockbusters and other rental retail stores (e.g. West Coast Video, Hollywood Video) were closing stores even before Redbox became so available. Years earlier: Blockbuster was doing fine, and opening new stores, even when PPV from cable was available.
I do think digital cable PPV, and VOD, must have hurt Blockbuster probably the most, and of course, much more than analog cable PPV. Likewise Amazon and Itunes selling new movie rentals probably hurt more than Netflix streaming (which doesn't have new movie rentals). The DVD mail in service might have hurt but this has now has less marketshare than before.
Quote from: Bdubs on December 08, 2015, 08:21:45 PM
The former Blockbuster in Colchester CT was also a huge location. They are dividing into 3 units, a Starbucks is relocating from another location in town, an AT&T retailer and another store will open by end of winter.
The old Blockbuster on East Hillsborough Ave in Tampa was subdivided into a Cricket mobile phone store, a wig store and an empty space. The space just opened after 5 years of being empty. Another Blockbuster became a Beef O'Brady restaurant.
Quote from: Bdubs on December 08, 2015, 08:21:45 PM
The former Blockbuster in Colchester CT was also a huge location. They are dividing into 3 units, a Starbucks is relocating from another location in town, an AT&T retailer and another store will open by end of winter.
The former Southgate, Michigan Blockbuster was divided into Wild Bill's Tobacco and RX Optical.
The Blockbuster that was closest to me is now a Mexican grocery that serves up
the yummiest street tacos south of the Monongahela. ;)
Another one a few miles down the road is now split between an ice cream stand
and a dry cleaner.
If anyone's interested, here's a listing of the remaining franchised Blockbuster Video stores:
http://www.blockbuster.com/franchise.html (http://www.blockbuster.com/franchise.html)
I wonder if Dish will tell the franchises to change their name. Are they selling franchises??
When I took out my Blockbuster DVD cases from when one of my stores (Clinton, CT I think..) I've been seeing a bunch of Blockbuster related signs. Weird.
Now that o have to be part of history I'm going to have to mail one of those franchise stores so they can send me a membership card, lol.
Dish has pretty much left the name to die . Blockbusters streaming service is now called Sling .
My roku box has a dedicated button for Blockbuster but now it just comes up asking you to install the Sling app .
I suppose when time travel is invented I'll be able to properly experience it along with Ames.
Quote from: retailfan on March 27, 2016, 02:03:51 PM
Dish has pretty much left the name to die . Blockbusters streaming service is now called Sling .
My roku box has a dedicated button for Blockbuster but now it just comes up asking you to install the Sling app .
Looks like you are correct..
https://www.sling.com/blockbuster (https://www.sling.com/blockbuster)
Quote from: Patrick Boots CEC on March 28, 2016, 06:07:46 AM
I suppose when time travel is invented I'll be able to properly experience it along with Ames.
Or you can just go to a Blockbuster Video store and a get membership card and rent movies if time travel is invented! ;)
Quote from: Pikapower on May 18, 2016, 02:36:00 PM
Quote from: Patrick Boots CEC on March 28, 2016, 06:07:46 AM
I suppose when time travel is invented I'll be able to properly experience it along with Ames.
Or you can just go to a Blockbuster Video store and a get membership card and rent movies if time travel is invented! ;)
Or visit their remaining stores in Alaska and Texas.
^ Yeah, that's on my long-term bucket list.
Going to Blockbuster used to be a treat to me; coming from a small town I usually had to deal with the poor selection at the small local stores. Then, my best friend's sister got a job in one location and of course they were always renting something. My girlfriend at the time shared my interest in oddball films (or maybe she was just very tolerant of my interest!) and we delved deep into the aisles at the Salisbury, MD BB. I remember renting "Groove Tube", "Kentucky Fried Movie" and "Plan 9 From Outer Space" among many others. It seems like a million years ago...and seems like only yesterday!
Blockbuster has 12 locations left in the United States.
Blockbuster has 27 locations left in Australia.
Yep - I put that 27 mark on Wikipedia after doing the research for my site..waiting to find another map provider for it because Google has layered limits..sometime soon..
Here's a Gaming Historian video about Nintendo and their battle against video rental chains in the 1980s and 1990s including Nintendo's battle with Blockbuster Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3xuy5YALl0