Driving home from grocery shopping, Anthony and I passed the Blockbuster Video store at Broadway and Craycroft tonight. We both did a double take because the store was all lit up inside but completely empty.
I did an internet search when I got home and discovered that the last 300 Blockbuster company owned locations closed on January 12, 2014 (a week ago). They apparently liquidated the store to the bare walls and I didn't even know until now.
I doubled back and took a picture of the store because I thought it was capturing a piece of history.
Hollywood Video closed the last of their stores in 2010 after declaring bankruptcy. Blockbuster managed to last a few years longer. Netflix and Redbox ruined their retail store business model.
Blockbuster is going to apparently continue as a streaming service. It's kind of sad though to see the stores, which at one time were a place to discover new movies, rent classics, buy overpriced candy, and do some people watching, go away. Blockbuster in Tucson even has a piece of pop culture history: Diana Ross was arrested for a DUI while travelling from Canyon Ranch Resort to Blockbuster at Tanque Verde and Sabino Canyon to rent a movie in 2002. Read about it by clicking here.
So long Blockbuster Video. I think I still owe them for a late fee from 1998. It's a little late now.