Blockbuster (Bend, Oregon)
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video rental |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Ken and Debbie Tisher |
| Headquarters | Bend, Oregon , United States |
Area served | Local customers, tourists |
Key people | Ken Tisher (owner), Sandi Harding (general manager) |
| Products | Movie rentals, merchandise |
| Owner | Ken Tisher |
| Website | bendblockbuster |
Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon
Blockbuster, often referred to as the Last Blockbuster, is a video rental outlet located in Bend, Oregon. Originally established in 1992 under the name Pacific Video, it transitioned into a Blockbuster franchise in 2000. By 2018, this location had become the sole remaining Blockbuster store in the United States. The following year, it earned distinction as the last operational retail store worldwide to carry the Blockbuster brand.
Situated at 211 NE Revere Avenue, this store is owned by Ken Tisher and continues to serve customers despite the decline of video rental chains globally. It remains a notable landmark for being the final vestige of what was once a widespread video rental empire. The store’s official website can be found at https://bendblockbuster.com.
Located at coordinates 44°4′2″N 121°18′13″W, this site has gained recognition for its unique status as the last surviving Blockbuster retail outlet on the planet.
History
Situated at the corner of U.S. Route 20 and Revere Avenue, the Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon, was established in 1992 by Ken and Debbie Tisher. It served as the second outlet for Pacific Video, a modest video rental chain within the state.[1] Prior to this, they had sought a location near a Shopko along U.S. Route 97.[2] In an interview with The Bulletin, Ken Tisher expressed his intention to run the store as a "mom-and-pop store".[2] The store transitioned into a Blockbuster franchise in 2000.[3] Since 2004, Sandi Harding has held the position of general manager.[4]
By early 2014, Blockbuster LLC had shut down all company-operated outlets, leaving the Bend franchise among approximately fifty remaining independently owned locations.[5] In July of 2018, it earned distinction as the sole remaining Blockbuster store within the United States and by March 2019 became the last one globally.[6] The Blockbuster trademark is owned by Dish Network, which no longer issues new franchise licenses under the Blockbuster brand name, thereby solidifying the Bend location’s unique status.[7]
Following its emergence as the final Blockbuster store worldwide, this Bend location has attracted considerable tourism. Ken Tisher remains the owner,[8] and continues to renew licensing agreements annually with Dish Network for use of the Blockbuster trademark and associated merchandise sales.[9] The inventory includes roughly 1,200 movie titles and serves an estimated membership base of around 4,000 active renters.[10][11]
In celebration of its status in 2018, local brewery 10 Barrel introduced a dark ale named The Last Blockbuster featuring notes reminiscent of red licorice.[12] This beer debuted during a block party commemorating the store’s distinction as the final U.S. location. Additionally, The Ellen DeGeneres Show filmed a hidden camera prank at the store in May of the following year when it became recognized as the world’s last Blockbuster.[13] The store also inspired the documentary The Last Blockbuster (2020), produced by filmmakers from Bend and featuring appearances from celebrities including Kevin Smith, Brian Posehn, and Ione Skye. This film was distributed on DVD and VHS formats and made accessible for streaming via Netflix.[14][15]
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Memorabilia
On exhibit at the store are various film artifacts that once belonged to actor Russell Crowe. These include his hood from the 2010 film Robin Hood, his robe and shorts (excluding his jockstrap) from the 2005 movie Cinderella Man, his vest worn in the 2012 production of Les Misérables, as well as director's chairs used during the filming of American Gangster (2007). These items were transferred to the store by Anchorage’s final remaining Blockbuster, which ceased operations in July 2018. Initially, these pieces had been donated to the Alaska location as part of a segment aired on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in April 2018.
See also
References
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External links
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Template:Blockbuster Template:Video rental shops Template:Bend, Oregon