Blockbuster Video filed bankruptcy in September, but the efforts could not save the failing company's Rogue Valley area stores from closure. Last week, Blockbuster announced that its Medford and Ashland stores would be closing.
Once a Friday night staple for many Rogue Valley families, in recent years many have changed their movie-renting habits, opting instead for the convenience of Netflix (DVDs in the mail, and now, streamable over the internet); Redbox DVD vending machines; or Pay-Per-View, OnDemand or subscription movie channels through cable and satellite television providers (Charter, DISH and DirectTV in southern Oregon).
The dedicated video rental store business model overall has declined, evidenced by the now defunct Hollywood Video, which closed all of its stores in 2010, including one in Medford.
The exact closing dates for the Medford and Ashland stores have not been announced, but the closures will be soon. In the meantime, the stores are selling the existing inventory, and the fixtures will follow, reports KTVL 10, southern Oregon's CBS affiliate.
- For a list of local Redbox machines, click here.You can also find Redbox rental coupons at this site. There's also a Groupon which ends March 1, 2011 for 3 Redbox rentals for $1. Use this link.
- For a list of local Blockbuster Express DVD Rental machines, click here.
- And don't forget the Jackson County Public Library, which rents DVDs for free (this one requires more planning).
For those who still prefer to browse the shelves stocked with DVD titles, there are still brick-and-mortar alternatives to online and vending maching DVD rentals, including Planet Video in Medford, Dave's Central Market in Central Point, and Northrops Video & Ice in White City.
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