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| - A representative for the Blockbuster Video store in Bend told Snopes by phone that they were not, in fact, closing and that the rumor was a hoax. Further, we found no record of NBC News reporting any stories about this matter.
A rumor circulating online claimed the last remaining Blockbuster Video store in Bend, Oregon, announced its owners intended to close its doors forever on Oct. 31, 2024. The rumor also said that NBC News reported this story.
For example, on Oct. 24, X user Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) — whose bio claims he only posts "verified" news — posted the rumor (archived), saying in part, "END OF AN ERA: LAST BLOCKBUSTER STORE CLOSES. The final Blockbuster store, located in Bend, Oregon, is closing its doors on October 31, 2024, marking the official end of the iconic video rental chain." He also credited NBC News as his source.
Other users also shared the same claim — memes included — on numerous social media platforms and websites, often including the following text:
"The last remaining Blockbuster store in Bend, Oregon, is set to close on October 31, 2024, officially ending the era of the beloved video rental chain. Blockbuster, once a global phenomenon with more than 9,000 stores, has become a nostalgic icon in a world now dominated by streaming services. The closure marks the end of a chapter, recalling a time when finding the perfect Friday night movie meant browsing through rows of tapes and DVDs-a ritual that will remain in the memories of many." - NBC News
However, the rumor about the last remaining Blockbuster Video store closing was not only completely unverified but also false. A representative for the Blockbuster Video store in Bend told Snopes by phone that they were not, in fact, closing and that the rumor was a hoax. Further, we found no record of NBC News reporting any stories about this matter.
Man Who Believed Hoax Drove 8 Hours To Visit Store
ThatOregonLife.com and the Central Oregon Daily News first reported the news of the closure rumor not being true.
The Daily News' story said that the Bend Blockbuster Video store's general manager, Sandi Harding, said the hoax led to a "huge surge" in online orders. The article also documented the story of one man living in Sacramento, California, who believed the hoax to be true and said he drove eight hours to visit the store prior to its purported closure.
Last Remaining Blockbuster Video Store
The last remaining Blockbuster Video store in Bend is owned, operated and managed by people local to the area, with a business plan in place to help keep the operation thriving for years to come:
The Bend Blockbuster is owned, operated and run by locals who have been community members for decades; much of its merchandise is even crafted in Bend, and earnings are funneled back into keeping the store thriving for future generations. Even after Blockbuster Video filed for bankruptcy, the community of Bend collectively showed up to support a locally owned business—one that has remained steadfast in the face of streaming services and other technological advances.
That story of resilience and dogged determination has resonated with countless movie fans. Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world descend on the store to browse its aisles and pick up a piece of merchandise—much of which is emblazoned with Blockbuster's famous phrase: "Be Kind, Rewind."
For further reading about the Blockbuster Video store in Bend, we recommend the information published by VisitCentralOregon.com.
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