In the midst of America’s tech boom, the short-lived Blockbuster LLC came to be. Founded by David Cook (who had actually owned a failed software providing business for the oil and gas industry), Blockbuster LLC’s first store opened in Dallas, Texas on October 19, 1985, and it was an immediate success. Putting his experience with software to use, Cook created a computerized system that kept track of inventory, which was unique in the video-rental field. Most importantly, however, Blockbuster offered a wide range of films that were all displayed openly, as opposed to the limited inventory and tight security of other video-rental stores of the time. With these features, Cook found great initial success.
However, despite this great success, Cook left Blockbuster LLC just a couple years after its start. After his leave,Wayne Huizenga, a hefty investor in the company, took control. With Huizenga as CEO, Blockbuster began an aggressive expansion across America, opening around four hundred stores by 1988 and having over 3,000 stores running by the early 90s. Blockbuster, now a multibillion-dollar company, even added music and video-game rental to its services. Throughout the early 90s, Blockbuster was easily one of America’s leading companies, and it seemed unstoppable.
But, with internet usage beginning to rapidly increase throughout America by the mid 90s and Blockbuster’s continued lack of innovation, the video-rental giant was doomed to fall. In August of 1997, a little company known as Netflix arrived on the markets, advertising an online, subscription-based move rental service. Not having to pay for late-fees and now being able to access movies whenever from the comfort of home, consumers flocked to Netflix, marking the next decade for Blockbuster LLC as one of consistent net loss. Although Blockbuster attempted to mimic Netflix by offering mail and online rental services, both attempts ultimately failed. Outclassed and outgunned by Netflix and even Amazon, the over nine thousand stores that Blockbuster owned by the early 2000s all gradually began to close.
But all hope is not lost. One last Blockbuster store still remains today, and it’s located just up north in Bend, Oregon. If you’re ever feeling weird, maybe go check it out. Who knows, maybe you’ll be enlightened by this legendary remnant of history.
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