The last Blockbuster in Bend isn’t closing, despite internet rumors

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — False rumors were recently circulated on the internet claiming the last remaining Blockbuster video store, located in Bend, Ore., would permanently close on Halloween.

Those rumors are false, the video store announced on Instagram.

“Don’t believe everything you read on the internet,” the last Blockbuster said. “No, we are not closing on Halloween! We will be here until the bitter end.”

Numerous inaccurate social media posts about the phony closure reached more than a hundred thousand people, prompting fact checks from Snopes and Central Oregon Daily News.

Once a video store chain of more than 9,000 locations, Blockbuster’s corporate owned stores began to shutter after the company filed for bankruptcy in 2010. The last corporate owned Blockbuster closed in January of 2014, the last Blockbuster’s website states. A few franchise locations lingered. However, by March of 2019, the Bend location was the last Blockbuster in business and remains open to this day.

“Thanks for all the love fam,” the last Blockbuster shared on social media. “We aren't going anywhere!”