World’s last Blockbuster, in Bend, sees a big weekend bump in online sales
Update: Adding video, comment by manager)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend’s now-world-famous Blockbuster Video, the last one remaining in the world, says it saw a huge boost in online merchandise sales last weekend.
The store recently added sweatpants to its online shop, posting on its blog that the number of orders caused a backlog.
"it is so incredible the amount of support we received from everywhere," General Manager Sandi Harding said. "The merchandise sales are definitely helping the store.
"Again, doing everything here and locally is just absolutely is going to help keep the store open," she added. "But we also rent a lot of movies. Again, we are only here because the Bend community has supported us for all these years, and that is through rentals."
A documentary about the store also debuted Saturday night at a pop-up drive-in by the river and the Old Mill in Bend.
All of Blockbuster's merchandise products are made locally, and each order is processed by in-store staff, who also sign thank-you notes to online customers.