The checkout counter still runs on a DOS-based IBM computer system. Yes, really. In a world of streaming apps and smart TVs, one store keeps renting movies the old-fashioned way.
I’m particularly drawn to how little it pretends to be modern. The walls are bright yellow, the counter is blue, and the security gates still guard the door. Movie trailers play on the in-store TVs, just like they used to.
One detail I find worth mentioning is the memorabilia. A robe worn by Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man hangs inside. So do director chairs from the set of American Gangster.
This place sits in Oregon, and it holds a title no other store on Earth can claim.
One Store Outlasted Thousands, And It Did It Quietly
Blockbuster once had thousands of stores across the globe. Today, only one is left, and it’s this independently owned franchise in Bend.
The story began in December 1990, when Ken and Debbie Tisher opened their first Pacific Video store in Bend. The Revere Avenue location came along in 1992 as the second of three Central Oregon shops.
In June 2000, it became a Blockbuster franchise. Owners Ken and Debbie Tisher kept things running long after corporate stores began to fade.
Blockbuster corporate filed for bankruptcy in 2010. By January 2014, every corporate-owned store had closed its doors for good.
Bend kept going anyway. In July 2018, Blockbuster here became the last one left in the United States.
Then stores in Alaska and Australia closed. By March 2019, this little shop officially became the last Blockbuster on the planet.
That’s quite a glow-up for a store that started under a different name. It never set out to be famous, it simply refused to stop.
The store even licenses the Blockbuster trademark from Dish Network every year. That yearly deal is what lets it keep the famous name and sell branded goods.
Survival, it turns out, can be a very local business plan. A tiny team in Oregon managed what a giant company could not.
That Yellow And Blue Sign Still Does Its Job
Pull into the parking lot and the 1990s greet you right away. The familiar bright yellow and blue signage looks exactly like the chain’s glory days.
You’ll find the store at 211 NE Revere Ave #3, Bend, OR 97701. It sits near the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Revere Avenue.
The Blockbuster sits in a small shopping center on Northeast Revere Avenue. Its strip-mall setting adds to the familiar feel of a classic neighborhood video store.
Right beside the entrance doors stands a return drop box. It’s the same kind people once raced to before late fees kicked in.
Plenty of folks stop outside just for photos with that iconic sign. Honestly, the sign may be the most photographed rectangle in Central Oregon.
A quick tip helps here. Grab your outdoor pictures first, then head inside where even more photo spots wait.
The outside doesn’t try to look fancy or remodeled. That plain strip-mall look is part of the charm, since it matches how these stores always looked.
For anyone who grew up with a Blockbuster down the street, this view hits hard. It’s a storefront that feels oddly personal, even for first-time visitors.
You Can Actually Rent A Movie Here, For Real
Here’s a fun surprise for younger visitors. This is not a museum with a gift shop pretending to be a store.
About 90 percent of the space still holds rows of DVDs for rent. Blu-rays sit on the shelves too, along with a collection of VHS tapes.
That means the classic Friday night routine is still possible. You browse, you debate, and you finally pick something everybody can agree on.
Staff are known for giving movie recommendations. That human touch is something no streaming algorithm quite copies.
Need a practical tip? Renting works best for locals or travelers staying a few nights nearby, since the movie has to come back.
Visitors just passing through can still enjoy the aisles. Reading the backs of cases is a surprisingly relaxing hobby.
The new releases wall still works its old magic. Scanning it feels like a quick trip to high school, minus the homework.
There’s something satisfying about holding a movie in your hands. Physical media lovers will feel right at home among these shelves.
So yes, bring your sense of nostalgia. A real membership card might be next.
Russell Crowe Left Quite A Few Things Behind
A handwritten note from Russell Crowe is part of the collection. Next to it, you’ll find one of the hoods he wore in Robin Hood.
He didn’t stop there, apparently. The robe Crowe wore in Cinderella Man is also on display.
Movie fans should look for the director chairs, too. Crowe and Denzel Washington used them on the set of American Gangster.
The store has a whole section devoted to Blockbuster history and film memorabilia. It works like a small museum tucked between rental aisles.
Comedy fans get a treat as well. A framed Clerks poster signed by writer-director Kevin Smith hangs in the store.
That one feels extra fitting. Clerks is a movie set partly in a video store, so it found a perfect home.
Give yourself time to read the labels and study each piece. Rushing past them would be like fast-forwarding through the best scene.
These items turn a quick stop into something more memorable. They connect the store to the films that once filled its shelves.
Bring a phone with plenty of storage. You’ll probably want pictures of nearly everything.
Yellow Walls, Blue Counter, And That Unmistakable Smell
Fluorescent lights buzz over bright yellow walls. The blue counter sits up front, and the security gates stand guard by the door.
Nothing about the setup feels like a reboot. It feels like the original, because it mostly is.
Even the air plays along. The smell of the carpet and plastic movie cases adds to the time-travel effect.
Movie trailers still play on in-store televisions. Back in the day, those trailers helped people pick a backup choice when the hit film was gone.
The checkout system is a story of its own. Staff still use a DOS-based IBM computer system, with equipment dating from 1995 to 2006.
That old tech isn’t a prop. It actually helps run rentals, which feels wonderfully stubborn in an age of instant downloads.
Look around slowly and the details start stacking up. The shelves, the signs, and the layout all follow the classic Blockbuster playbook.
Kids who never saw a video store will probably find it fascinating. Adults may simply stand still for a moment and grin.
It’s rare for a room to trigger so many memories at once. This one manages it without trying hard at all.
Be Kind, Rewind, And Pose By The Glowing VHS Wall
Remember those little stickers telling you to rewind your tape? A whole wall here celebrates them.
The VHS display features Be Kind, Rewind stickers and glowing rope lights. It’s bright, cheerful, and made for photos.
Nearby, a living room setup leans hard into the retro mood. It feels like a cozy family den from decades ago.
Spaces like this make the store feel less like a shop and more like a memory you can stand inside. Parents can point at things and finally explain what rewinding meant.
Kids may ask why anyone needed to rewind a movie at all. Fair question, honestly.
These spots are great for group pictures. The colors pop, and the backdrop tells a story without any extra props.
A smart move is to visit on a calmer weekday if you want clear shots. The store can get busy, so patience helps.
Even people who never owned a VCR tend to enjoy this corner. It’s playful history, wrapped in plastic cases and soft light.
Tape fans, consider this your shrine. Just don’t try to take any home without asking.
Souvenirs That Help Keep The Lights On
Merch is a huge reason people make the trip. And the shelves deliver plenty of choices.
Shoppers can find T-shirts, key chains, coffee mugs, and apparel. Laminated membership cards, pet bandanas, and office accessories are also on the list.
Many of these products are made locally in Bend. That gives your souvenir a hometown connection you won’t get from a random gift shop.
Here’s the best part. All proceeds go directly toward supporting the store’s operation.
So buying a mug is more than a fun keepsake. It helps the last Blockbuster keep its doors open.
Pet owners may want to check out the bandanas. Your dog deserves to rep the 1990s too.
A friendly tip for planning: set a little budget before shopping. With this many options, it’s easy to leave with an armful.
Classic movie snacks also sit near the register. Bags of popcorn and sugary treats complete the old movie night routine.
Pair a snack with a rental, and you’ve basically recreated a weekend from childhood. A T-shirt just makes the trip official.
Famous Enough For Sleepovers, Sitcoms, And Cartoons
In September 2020, the store hosted sleepovers through Airbnb. Guests could spend a night surrounded by movies.
Those stays had a few rules. They were limited to Deschutes County residents in groups of four from the same household.
Pop culture noticed this place too. It’s been referenced in an episode of Family Guy.
Netflix also released a sitcom called Blockbuster. Not bad for a store run by a small local team.
General manager has worked for Blockbuster since 2004 and has played a major role in keeping the Bend location operating. She plays a big part in keeping it going strong.
Fame hasn’t turned the store into a flashy attraction. It still feels grounded and connected to its town.
The Blockbuster is considered a valued part of Bend. It supports local events and serves as a gathering place for the community.
That balance is impressive. The store welcomes travelers from far away while still taking care of the neighborhood.
It’s easy to cheer for a place like that. Few small businesses inspire a fictional sitcom, appear in a cartoon episode, and attract such a loyal following.
Plan A Quick Stop, Then Explore The Rest Of Bend
Most visitors spend about 20 to 45 minutes inside. That makes it an easy add-on to a bigger Oregon day.
The store opens at 10:30 AM every day. It closes at 8 PM most nights, and stays open until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bend offers lots to fill the rest of your schedule. The Old Mill District, Pilot Butte, and the Deschutes River Trail are all nearby favorites.
Science and history fans can head to the High Desert Museum. It pairs nicely with a morning of movie nostalgia.
Outdoor lovers have plenty of choices too. Skiing, biking, and rafting are all popular in the area.
Bigger adventures sit within driving range. Smith Rock State Park and the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway make great day trips.
Crater Lake National Park is about a two-hour drive from Bend in summer, and its scenic Rim Drive offers spectacular lake views when the road is open. A movie stop on the way sounds like solid road trip planning.
Here’s a final thought worth keeping. Bend has mountains, rivers, and trails, but it also has the only place on Earth where you can still rent from Blockbuster.
