Emporia Blockbuster customers were surprised this morning to find their local store shut down. Company officials could not be reached for comment on the closing, but customers are directed to return any checked-out items and continue using their accounts online.
A recent article in USA Today says that Blockbuster on July 1 said it expected to be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.
The business, which has expanded to online and kiosk services to compete with Netflix and Redbox, is still being hit hard by those other companies, which revolutionized the business model for video rental.
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Blockbusters are closing everywhere though--even in large cities. They can't compete with Netflix and Redbox.
July 7, 2010 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DJrocksthemic (anonymous) says...
Farm raised, I know you're trying to complain about Emporia or the economy, but this closing has nothing to do with either. Blockbuster just got straight up beat of the market by netflix and redbox. It has nothing to do with Emporia or the economy, this would have happened no matter what the location or what the economic situation. Kudo's to netflix and redbox for cornering the market, capitalistimsaholics should look at this as a victory for free enterprise.
July 7, 2010 at 2:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
FarmRaised is correct. This will be another empty store front in Emporia.
July 7, 2010 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
We had a Blockbuster? I've been all over the NW side of town and haven't seen it before.
Perhaps they realized that they could never compete with the upcoming Family Video/Little Caesar's venture.
'enry
July 7, 2010 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
If the construction crew dont hurry up Family Video could be in trouble
July 7, 2010 at 2:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Blockbuster sucks! I've been boycotting them for about nine years....ever since they sneakily changed their due back time to a time that often didn't allow me to get the movie watched. I bet I'm not the only one.
July 7, 2010 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imnohero (anonymous) says...
You mean to tell me that for 9 years you never realized that they gave you 12 EXTRA hours?? They changed it to noon the day AFTER it was originally due, special one. Way to miss out on helping a business in your town and be a part of hard working people losing their jobs just because you chose ignorance.
July 7, 2010 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Because there's not other places to rent movies. I didn't rent from there either, never liked them. I always went to other places. Mostly Hastings, now family video.
And while yes, it doesn't have much to do with Emporia it STILL is another empty building. -.-'
July 7, 2010 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
People used to go to a store to rent and buy movies?
July 7, 2010 at 6:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
What's blockbuster? We get our movies from the library. For free.
July 7, 2010 at 7:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
slimbolen
Those movies you got for free ,cost the taxpayer. Good for you. Don't get used to it. The library may/should lose some funds this year. With the world wide web , library's will become a thing of the past. Sorry Sue it's just a fact of life.
July 7, 2010 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
mslater
There used to be only flicks in black and white. You whippersnappers don't know how good you got it.
July 7, 2010 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Steve,
Black and white! PSHAW! Next you're probably going to tell me newspapers were actually printed on paper, and people actually PAID for them!
July 7, 2010 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
imnohero,
No, you aren't a hero and yes I am very special. At least you're honest, even if you are the pot calling the kettle black in your accusation of my ignorance. They told me I had two days and then charged me late fees when I took it back the evening of the correct day. It took me forever to figure out how it was late when I verified three times that it was the right day.
Besides, if I'd rented from there, I wouldn't have rented from at least one of the other two movie stores I have frequented in the meantime. When they say two days, they really mean two days...not one and a half. But don't you go worrying yourself sick and making unfounded, wild accusations about my spending habits. I support plenty of retail around here.
July 7, 2010 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I know when I rent a movie from one store, I always make sure to go around to all the other stores and rent that same movie from them the same day before I go home so all the different movie stores get the same amount of my business. I also take what it cost me at the most expensive place and throw that amount of money in the library drop box to help them out too. I like to keep it real. IfyaknowwhaImsayin'.
July 8, 2010 at 12:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Seriously, let me know when you're tossing money is the library drop box. I want to be the one to get the books that day. ;)
July 8, 2010 at 6:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Ok, so Netflix and Redbox caused this closing with their snappy dappy marketing mojo. That may say something on the level of Wall Street, but here locally, what does matter, and should matter to Emporians is just as FarmRaised said, it's another empty storefront with which our city must contend.
The more empty storefronts we have, the less command we have as a viable and attractive community for any establishment or person to want to locate.
When stuff like this happens, I can't help but think about the $$$ ten thousand the Chamber spent on a one-time PR ad in Oprah magazine. It made no sense then; it makes even less now.
I'm sorry to lose Blockbuster. They treated me well, and I always think about the folks who have lost their jobs in a struggling economy.
July 8, 2010 at 7:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
City, county , chamber, ESU, better start getting a plan together,the plan of having no plan, will sink us .
July 8, 2010 at 8:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
You people are nuts...
July 8, 2010 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
BOHO,your pic looks like J.E.H. now there was a real strange ranger.
July 8, 2010 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create know what you mean about that ad. Have there been ANY hard and fast results of the ad? Besides mailing out packets? On the other hand you can look at the recent bike race bought to town by the hard work of a couple of local business owners at no cost to the taxpayer. It brought over 300 people into town and filled motels for the weekend.
Can't say "thanks"enough to the Mohn's and Brown's along with Main street volunteers for actually getting visitors into town.
July 8, 2010 at 10:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Absolutely right on the button about the Mohns and Browns and that bike race, Steve. That was a great thing for our city, and they did it all by themselves.
The same can be said about the Prairie Pieces Quilt Shop. That little shop brings a lot of people into town with shop hops and poker runs several times a year. There is a steady clip of out of towners who come to shop. The most common question they ask is, "Where's a good place to eat lunch?"
July 8, 2010 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imnohero (anonymous) says...
Oh4theluvof, I clearly never debated with you the amount of days you were renting, and I won't start or even get in to that.
I was merely correcting you on what seems to be your false assumption that they shortened the rental time when they changed the due back time, as you said that was the reason you didn't go anymore. Unless you knew they were giving you more time and were mad about THAT, which seems pretty ridiculous.
Your original intent behind hating them SO much isn't even based on truth. If you have other reasons, it's not my fault you represented your opinions incorrectly. So cool that seething head of yous. The original one that got that way based on your own choice of ignorance, an the second that got that way because YOU chose to misrepresent YOURSELF.
July 8, 2010 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
You may be no hero but you definitely seem to be very great in your own eyes. Congratulations on that.
July 8, 2010 at 11:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thrashed (anonymous) says...
The people running that store didn't help keep it open that for sure. Everyone there was rude or didn't have a clue how to do their job. Surprise surprise.
July 8, 2010 at 12:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
seriously,
You are obviously a hero of economic stimulus!!! Thank you for all you do for the movie rental business and the library. If I may ask, however, could you just rent the movie and leave it on reserve for me? I mean, if you already have two or three extra copies of it anyway......sometimes I can't find the one I'm looking for because all the copies around town are rented out when I go looking. Thanks!! ☺
imnohero:
You made three assumptions of your own in your last post....not to mention whatever assumptions you had already made about me that prompted you to come after me in the first place. I'm glad I could give you something to try to pick apart. Just let me know when I can help and thanks for being a fan!
July 8, 2010 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporian (anonymous) says...
When you have a dying business model this sort of thing happens.
July 8, 2010 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Beat me to it emporian. Sad thing to be losing businesses that provide jobs and tax revenue to support the community, but if they can't make a profit they must go.
July 8, 2010 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nmse_s (Shannon Standard) says...
Imnhero: first of all, what an interesting name...very interesting.
Second of all... be careful, be very very careful on who you pick your battles with. Trust me on this one ok?
Blockbuster was doomed a long time ago in this town. Rental time, price and selection were always better either at Hastings or Family Video. Granted Hastings didn't make it in this town either but I think there were plenty of other reasons why it didn't. Family Video is the only other place in town to put our dollars and I encourage Emporians to use this store. It's got free video for kids and they offer great discounts for those who rent often: say like o4 and seriously. Good luck to Family Video.
July 9, 2010 at 12:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I called Cable One yesterday to see about getting movies at home. The box is $11 per month plus you have to pay per view. Sounds like its Family Video for me. At least you can watch a video on your own time.
At first I questioned their putting in yet another pizza place here, but suddenly a movie and a pizza sounds like a pretty good deal after all. So, I'm with nmse_s in wishing Family Video good luck. I hope they have a drive up drop off.
July 9, 2010 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nmse_s (Shannon Standard) says...
Create: I completely agree with you...I'm in favor of drive up drop off @ Family Video myself...guess I'm just lazy, lol!!
July 9, 2010 at 11:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
nmse_s, not lazy at all when there's a foot of snow on the ground eh? Then too, I let Steve at Quik Lube II pump my gas and check my tires and oil too. Not lazy, just spoiled. :)
July 10, 2010 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Maybe they will deliver pizza AND a movie! That would be great! Then, I could just order another pizza when I needed to have them come get the movie for return! Mmmm... succulent pizza!
'enry
July 10, 2010 at 11:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
You're not really spoiled until you have Netflix with streaming movies. I know a lot of DVD and Blu-Ray players now allow streaming movies from Nexflix, along with the three major gaming platforms, not to mention computers.
I'm going to not get out of bed and watch Zombieland... riiiiiiiiight now.
Welcome to the future.
Matt
July 12, 2010 at 6:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )