Blockbuster celebrates 40 years with nostalgic block party in Bend
KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The world’s last remaining Blockbuster threw a blockbuster-sized bash Saturday to mark 40 years since the chain first opened in 1985. Fans from across the country flocked to the Bend store on Northeast Revere Avenue for music, trivia, and ’80s flair.
The “Last Blockbuster Block Party” transformed the Bend parking lot into a nostalgic time capsule filled with local food trucks, live bands, and movie-themed fun. Themed events included an ’80s costume contest, karaoke backed by a live band, and trivia challenges dedicated to movie classics from Back to the Future to The Goonies.
A fully decked-out DeLorean parked outside the store drew visitors eager for photos, while nearby booths from community partners like Kona Ice and Cascade Indoor Sports provided refreshments and games. A portion of today’s proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Central Oregon.
Store manager Sandy Harding called it their biggest celebration yet. “It’s amazing to see how much people still care about Blockbuster and what it represents,” she said.
While the Bend location only became a Blockbuster in 2000, it has since become a global cultural landmark. Visitors from around the world travel to browse its shelves of more than 26,000 movies, buy exclusive merchandise, and take photos beneath the famous blue-and-yellow sign. The store even inspired a Netflix documentary, further cementing its nostalgic legacy.
Though the Bend store didn’t join the Blockbuster family until 2000, it has since become a global landmark with more than 26,000 movies, exclusive merchandise, and visitors from around the world. Once part of a 9,000-store empire, Blockbuster’s legacy now lives on in Bend, proving there’s still magic in rewinding tapes and reliving movie nights.
Harding says the anniversary isn’t just about looking back, it’s about keeping a local tradition alive.
“We’re not just celebrating Blockbuster,” she said. “We’re celebrating Bend, our shared history, and the simple joy of watching movies together.”