WE all know Americans like to have the biggest and the best – but there’s one title they are trying to claim that a small business owner in Perth is refuting – the title of the last Blockbuster store on Earth.
And we’re not having a bar of it.
The Blockbuster trying to claim said title is in Bend, Oregon.
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READ NOWHowever, a little store in Perth owned by John and Lyn Borszeky is still going strong.
In fact, Mrs Borszeky said people still come in to sign up for memberships.
At its peak, Blockbuster Video had more than 9000 stores in the US.
In 1989, a new store opened every 17 hours. However, since the advent of Netflix, it could certainly be said that streaming has killed the video star.
The Last Blockbuster on Earth began trending on Reddit – when user akiersky visited the Oregon store on December 21.
However, some eagle-eyed Redditors pointed out that Mrs Borszeky’s store in Morley was still going strong.
MORE: the Morley Blockbuster defying the odds.
The Oregon store even has its own beer – a black ale with nuances of red licorice. Not quite the smell of op shop and buttered popcorn that Blockbuster stores were traditionally known for.
Blockbuster Morley may not have its own beer – but its owners can still lay claim to it being the last of its kind in Australia.
“It feels like a bit of an achievement to be the last Blockbuster in Australia and (it’s) our claim to fame so we will take it,” Mrs Borszeky said.
“On the other hand, it is bittersweet as at the end of the day we are all family owned small businesses that have had to close our doors and walk away which is very sad.”
Blockbuster Oregon will be the subject of a feature-length documentary called the Last Blockbuster.
A Kickstarter funding the documentary has already raised more than $39,000.
It is to be seen if the Morley Blockbuster will be featured in the documentary.
“Blockbuster Morley is still open for business and going strong, averaging at least 20 new members a week,” Mrs Borszeky said.
“We have a great location and very loyal customers who still love the experience of visiting a brick and mortar store and enjoying our great customer service.”
Will the Oregon or the Perth store hold their ground longest and take out the title of the Last Blockbuster on Earth?