I can remember how exciting it was to go to Blockbuster on a Friday night and pick out the weekend movie; I would look forward to filling up with popcorn and Junior Mints. It was such a fun time for family and friends. For many, like me, the local Blockbuster store was a part of life that we all looked forward to. The endless aisles of movie titles, vivid displays of popcorn and cotton candy by the checkout and the loud grumble of someone arguing with an employee over late fees have become a generational memory for boomers. And remember, “Be Kind. Please Rewind”?

“Be Kind.
Please Rewind.”

When I used to hear people speculate that we would someday be streaming movies out of our living rooms on our mobile devices and televisions, I could not imagine how that would look. But turns out that during the pandemic I think I actually finished Netflix! It was so great to have a streaming service, but it still did not feel quite as special as those Blockbuster video rituals. As the market modernized, video stores, including Blockbuster, were forced to shutter. Last year, one store in Bend, Oregon, became not only the last Blockbuster in the country, but also the world.

Blockbuster's Slumber Party

However, this is the year where apparently anything goes. The Bend, Oregon, store is inviting residents to spend a night in the store. How fun! I looked this up on Airbnb--it was an awesome concept. People from all over the world have made the journey to Bend to see this small, preserved piece of history. And for a limited time, the residents of Deschutes County (where Bend is located) can experience the store in a way never seen before.

The Bend store recently posted a listing on Airbnb that invites customers to stay at the store for a night. Our '90s dreams are finally becoming a reality.

"Over the past few months, we've been missing the regular visits from friends, neighbors and tourists from around the world," the post read. "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!"

Blockbuster via Airbnb

For just three nights — Sept. 18 through Sept. 20 — the retailer will hand its keys over to guests, granting them access to the entire store. The listing said the cost per night is just $4 (!!) and goes live for booking on Monday at 1 p.m. PST. I think this sounds so cool and what a great flashback. Does anyone want to go with me!?

And because we are still in the midst of a pandemic, the retailer noted that not only will the space be cleaned prior to guests' arrival in accordance with Airbnb's Enhanced Cleaning Protocol, but also the store will also supply guests with disinfectant wipes, a pack of face coverings 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."

For those unable to snag one of the coveted spots, the retailer said individuals can visit the setup during store hours for a limited time. This is a fun way to reboot your past and remember the better days. O.K. Boomer!

Source: Retail Dive, Blockbuster Twitter, Caroline Jansen@CarolineJansen