– All photos courtesy of AirBNB –
If you are of a child of the 80s or 90s, Blockbuster Video is a haven of nostalgia. I'm talking about the candy, the VHS boxes, the sexy blue and yellow uniforms … Okay, so maybe not the uniforms. Never the less, Blockbuster Video is a remnant of the golden days of home video when you didn't have unlimited options at your streaming beck and call. With Netflix, Redbox, and every other instant form of movie access at your fingertips, physical video stores are a thing of the past.
Well, now you can experience the days of Blockbuster once again with a special AirBNB opportunity to spend the night in the final ode to clamshells and late fees.
The listing of a lifetime reads as follows:
Hey Deschutes County residents! Dust off those membership cards for a sleepover inside the world’s last BLOCKBUSTER. When you call dibs on this stay, you’re booking a night back in the 90s, but this time you won’t have to beg your parents to rent the latest horror flick–we’ll give you the keys to the entire store!
On 8/17 at 1PM PT, we’re inviting movie lovers from the area to request to book one of these three, one-night stays that will take place on 9/18, 9/19 and 9/20 for up to four people.
As the last standing location in the world, our BLOCKBUSTER store is an ode to movie magic, simpler times and the sense of community that could once be found in BLOCKBUSTER locations around the world. Over the past few months, we’ve been missing the regular visits from friends, neighbors and tourists from around the world. So, we’re opening our store to three quarantine pods of Deschutes County guests for a socially-distanced movie night, just like those of decades past!
Keeping our customers (and now our guests!) comfortable and feeling at home is our priority. You’ll have the store to yourself from check-in to check-out, and it will be cleaned prior to your arrival in accordance to Airbnb's Enhanced Cleaning Protocol which is informed by recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Plus we’ll provide you with a pack of face coverings, disinfectant wipes, and endless hand sanitizer!
Whether you want to stay up until sunrise or pass out on the couch, we’ve created the perfect space complete with a pull-out couch, bean bags and pillows for you to cozy up with “new releases” from the ‘90s. Crack open a two-liter of Pepsi before locking into a video game, charting your future in a game of MASH, or watching movie after movie. But be wary of reciting “Bloody Mary” in the staff bathroom off of the break room, as you just may summon the ghost rumored to haunt the store. And help yourself to some NERDS, Raisinets and popcorn (heavy on the butter), but make sure you save room for a couple of slices.
And remember, the store is all yours for the night! So let loose, blast the boombox and wear your favorite ‘90s denim so that you feel right at home in another era.
After the final guests check out, BLOCKBUSTER customers can check out the living room space during store hours for a limited time. If you aren’t among the few to snag these bookings or visit – because you’re somewhere else in the world – but in need of a fresh movie suggestion, we have you covered! Call the store to take advantage of our Callgorithm. Tell us what you like and don’t like, and a real human will give you tailored recommendations. You can also snag some BLOCKBUSTER swag to further support our staff and community during this challenging time at our online shop.
Our BLOCKBUSTER store is open because of the incredible local community in Bend, and we’ve been grateful to have the support of those beyond our town as the coronavirus pandemic has impacted our business. To celebrate and pay it forward in this tradition of support, Airbnb will make a donation to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, a longtime partner of ours.
Still not convinced that this is the coolest offer in the history of AirBNB? Then feast your eyes on these photos:
I've participated in some pretty epic sleepovers in my day, including overnight stays in an aquarium, arcade, and laser tag arena, but camping out in the last Blockbuster Video? Take my money! Seriously, AirBNB, don't lock anyone else in until I've had a chance to run to the bank. I get off of work in about and hour and a half. I used to work for Blockbuster, maybe that buys me some time? Anyway, we'll talk soon!