Kapows Arcade Adventures Blockbuster Video and Vector Volcano Arcade, Bend, Oregon, August 2023

In this video we head out to Bend, Oregon to check out the last Blockbuster VIdeo on the planet and the Vector Volcano Classic Arcade!!! This was an amazing Kapows Arcade Adventure that was totally unplanned and spur of the moment! Blockbuster Video In 2010, Blockbuster Corporate filed for bankruptcy. The once giant video store chain had fallen from over 9094 stores in 2004 to a mere 1700 struggling corporate locations. By April 2011 they were being auctioned off and the winning bid of 320 million dollars went to Dish Network, a satellite TV provider. Slowly the new operators began closing corporate owned stores and in January 2014 the final Blockbuster Corporate location closed. This left only a few franchise locations around the world and at the end of March 2019 only 1 store remained, our store in Bend Oregon. Ken & Debbie Tisher along with their two teenagers (Marc and Rory) moved to Bend in September 1990. The following December they opened the very first Pacific Video Store on the south end of Bend. Two years later they opened the second of what was later to become 3 Central Oregon locations, here at 211 NE Revere. As small business owners the Tisher’s recognized they had the opportunity to bring the movie experience to our family homes. By offering the newest movie titles and our favorite classics on VHS they were able to give the Bend community an inexpensive alternative to going out to the theater. After successfully operating their locally owned video stores for 10 years, the Tisher’s, along with their partners, Debbie’s parents, Larry and Berniece Doan made the decision to become a Blockbuster Franchise in June of 2000. This was the beginning of our Blockbuster Story: how a small business, thru stubborn determination and a bit of pure luck, has been able to operate in the chaos of an ever changing home video world. The proceeds from their product sales go directly to support their store and helps them to stay open. The majority of their products are also made right there in Bend. https://bendblockbuster.com/ Vector Volcano Classic Arcade Vector Volcano Classic Arcade is a dedicated arcade with the best classic video arcade and pinball games of he 80's and 90's. We strive to keep our games in their original condition with bright monitors, fine tuned controls, and maintained pinballs. Our arcade is family friendly with the spirit of the 70's and early 80's arcade environment. We serve local craft beer and are open to minors at all times during normal business hours. Hours: Open Noon-10pm Labor Day 9/4 Gift cards available Vector Volcano Classic Arcade located at 111 NW Oregon Ave in Downtown Bend, Oregon. Email us at vectorvolcanoarcade@gmail.com to book your private group! Like us on Facebook!Closed Monday 3pm-10pm Tuesday-Friday Noon-10pm Saturday-Sunday Admission $8 for 1 hour. $15 all day. Unlimited Play video games. Pinball costs quarters with no admission required to play pinball only The arcade is available for private groups. Click on the private parties page for details. https://vectorvolcanoarcade.com/ Brett Pulliam IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0700434/ Also, please check out: The Broken Token Podcast with Whitney Roberts and Brent Griffith https://brokentoken.com/podcastpage/ Delusionals Arcade @ucabyubpbl-wy1ahs0wnnana That Tim Guy @thattimguy Jeff Kinders The Dragons Lair Project http://www.dragons-lair-project.com/ Charlie at Overtime Arcade @overtimearcade