It’s been quite some time since the eras of CDs, VHS tapes, and Blockbuster. But there’s one place you can still enjoy those ’80s and ’90s memories: the last remaining Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon. And now you can rent a room there for a sleepover on AirBnB!
Going Back In Time
Sure, Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services are there for us. But there’s something alluring about the warmth of the VHS player and the smell of Blockbuster. Who can forget hours spent wandering those sacred halls? Today, there’s only one operating Blockbuster remaining in the entire world: in Bend, Oregon. Now, diehard Blockbuster fans can actually rent out the whole place – an ’80s kids wildest fantasy!
“Hey Deschutes County residents! Dust off those membership cards for a sleepover inside the world’s last BLOCKBUSTER. When you call dibs on this stay, you’re booking a night back in the 90s, but this time you won’t have to beg your parents to rent the latest horror flick–we’ll give you the keys to the entire store!” reads the posting on Airbnb, which went live on September 1st.
Last Blockbuster Standing
“As the last standing location in the world, our Blockbuster store is an ode to movie magic, simpler times, and the sense of community that could once be found in Blockbuster locations around the world,” explained Sandi Harding, the owner of the last Blockbuster. For years, not only have locals rented from this Blockbuster, which now has DVDs and Blu-Rays, but travelers from around the world have also come to see the relic. The last Blockbuster was closed for a little while due to coronavirus. Now, however, anyone can rent the store out for a socially distanced move night!
This store in Oregon became the last one standing after all other chains were closed down. First, America’s second-to-last Blockbuster, in Alaska, closed its doors in 2018. Then, the final Australian branch also shut down their chain a year later, making Bend, Oregon the final operating Blockbuster on Earth. While it’s an incredibly old store, the host renovated it enough to make it comfortable for visitors. Stands with snacks and a huge comfortable couch – what else does a movie lover needs?
Pepsi And Popcorn
Of course, this is just a band-aid for the current COVID situation. “We’re still making plans and pushing forward, and we’re the last one for a reason,” Harding said. “We don’t go down without a fight. So we’re going to keep fighting for a while.”
Hopefully the idea takes off. It seems so exciting! “Crack open a two-liter of Pepsi before locking into a video game, charting your future in a game of MASH, or watching movie after movie. But be wary of reciting ‘Bloody Mary’ in the staff bathroom off of the break room, as you just may summon the ghost rumored to haunt the store. And help yourself to some NERDS, Raisinets and popcorn (heavy on the butter), but make sure you save room for a couple slices,” the Airbnb description reads.
Meanwhile, Airbnb also wants to help kick off the rental season. “To celebrate and pay it forward in this tradition of support, Airbnb will make a donation to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, a longtime partner of ours,” the company stated. So if you live nearby, don’t hesitate!
Sources: Airbnb, Good Morning America, Rolling Stone