There will only be one Blockbuster store left on the planet soon

The second-last Blockbuster will close at the end of March.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
There will only be one Blockbuster store left on the planet soon
Only one Blockbuster store remains on this planet. Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

While there was plenty of fanfare around the Alaskan Blockbuster (which is now sadly closed), there was one still trading thousands of miles away in Australia.

However, the second last Blockbuster on this planet, located in the Perth suburb of Morley, is closing down at the end of March.

Co-owner Lyn Borszeky told the Australian Associated Press that the rise of streaming services such as Netflix meant the store's closure was going to be inevitable.

"We put in a pretty good effort to be the last one in Australia, I suppose, but it was going to happen eventually and now is the time," she told the wire service.

It leaves one store remaining in Bend, Oregon, the final surviving member of the video rental chain which had more than 9,000 stores during its peak in 2004. The store even had its own beer, "The Last Blockbuster," which was released last year as a tribute.

Last year, Borszeky told Community News that she had customers pleading with her to not close the store, as they enjoyed the experience and service they provided. Certainly one that an algorithm couldn't replicate.

“It is really gratifying to see the excitement when the kids are looking through and see their favourite character," she said.

At the time, the store had regular customers, mostly middle to older aged, but there was a decline in younger visitors aged 15 to 30.

For a generation, browsing a video store was one of life's simple pleasures, and it's an experience that will soon enough be extinct.

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

Elon Musk: Tesla FSD will soon become subscription-only
Inside a Tesla, a driver uses Full Self Driving.

Sony may be experimenting with dynamic pricing for its PlayStation Store
By Jack Dawes
Spider-Man for Playstation

You only have days left to get this credit-card-sized tracker for less than $24
Wallet with cards

Screenshotting disappearing nudes could soon be illegal in the UK
an eye on a computer screen with a gavel and lady justice on a desk

More in Life
California just launched the country's largest public broadband network
Newsom stands behind a teen on a computer. A group of people cheer and clap behind them.

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's $160 off at Amazon right now
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System against a colorful background.

Amazon's sister site is having a one-day sale, and this Bissell TurboClean deal is too good to skip
A woman using the Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Mop and Lightweight Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The best smartwatch you've never heard of is on sale for less than $50
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro in light green with blue and green abstract background

Reddit r/all takes another step into the grave
Reddit logo on phone screen

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!