As a thank you to its community for supporting the store throughout the pandemic, Blockbuster’s last location is offering up its space on Sept. 18, 19 and 20 to four friends for just $4 per night. The booking is available on Airbnb, and the night will be complete with an unlimited movie marathon in a 90’s-themed living room, and shelves full of the guests’ favorite movies from the decade.
Store manager Sandi Harding will be the host and plans on creating a cozy environment with bean bag chairs, a pull-out couch, and pillows. She’s also leaving behind the movie essentials: popcorn, candy and soda.
Harding understands that while this night may bring residents back a few decades, the need for 2020-appropriate cleanliness is still a necessity. She’ll provide masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes and asks that guests follow CDC guidelines during their stay.
Residents of Deschutes County, where the store resides, can reserve one of three nights on Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. on the vacation rental site.
“We think of ourselves as a family, and that includes everyone from the global travelers who come to visit, to the lifelong friends and couples who first met as Blockbuster employees,” Harding said in the Airbnb listing’s description. “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a test of our community unlike any other, so we decided to list this stay to keep this tradition alive during these uncertain times.”
Over the past few months, the location received not only local support, but a large number of global orders from at-home movie watchers looking to buy from an old favorite. To thank those consumers who cannot make it to the sleepover or for a peek at the living room, Blockbuster will be offering up the staff’s “callgorithm” so that fans can call in with their movie likes and dislikes, and staff can respond with film recommendations.
Airbnb is joining Blockbuster to make a donation to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, an animal shelter and a longtime partner of the store.
This time has sparked waves of creative acts of kindness from brands looking to give back to consumers. TodayTix donated 1,000 seats to essential workers to use when events are back. Planet Fitness and 305 Fitness offered up free at-home workouts. Popeyes gave Netflix accounts to 1,000 customers on social.
