Blockbusted! Blockbuster Closes US Stores, Online DVD Rentals

Down the street from where I lived we had a “Doorstep Video” (they used to deliver videos to your doorstep). I remember the day that Blockbuster acquired that local video store. It took me 2 years before I finally got a Blockbuster card, which I used all through the 90’s to around 2005.

Now that is just a memory…

Blockbuster – the video rental company that opened their doors in 1985 – has closed all DVD operations in the US. DISH network announced all remaining 300 stores will be closed and the online DVD rental service was also shuttered, along with 3,000 jobs.

Blockbuster opened in Dallas, Texas on October 19, 1985 by David Cook. It was bought out by Scott Beck, John Melk and Wayne Huizenga who turned it into a national brand. Blockbuster even almost made the change to big box retail when they tried to buy the failing Circuit City, but couldn’t come up with the capitol.

Was probably a good thing as shortly after Circuit City collapsed, Blockbuster started to see their decline. They eventually were purchased by DISH networks on April 6, 2011 after filing for bankruptcy.

“Consumer demand is clearly moving to digital distribution of video entertainment,” said DISH president and CEO Joseph P. Clayton in the press release about the closures.

The service was late and far behind from Netflix on DVD rentals and then streaming movies. Blockbuster suffered the same problem when Coinstar’s Redbox kiosks were placed.

Blockbuster @ Home will still be alive on DISH networks for their on demand service. Further, 50 franchise stores will remain open under the Blockbuster name for the time being.