Blockbuster's Milford Location Going Out of Business

If you're looking for a deal on a DVD or video game then you'll want to swing by . "Nothing Held Back!" "Entire Store on Sale!" "All DVD's and Games Must Be Sold!" are just a few of the signs enticing passersby. 

But don't wait too long, because the deals will only last until Jan. 22, when Blockbuster will close its doors for the final time.

Blockbuster's corporate headquarters declined to comment as to the specific reasons why the Milford location was closing. In a statement emailed to Milford Patch, Blockbuster spokesman Aaron Johnson wrote:

"Blockbuster continues to evaluate the performance of each store location individually. As we have said in previous statements, we remain committed to maintaining only those stores that we believe we will be able to operate profitably."

"Stores can close for a number of reasons, such as the store reaching the end of its lease, a store may be too large in size, or property owners may be unwilling to reach a reasonable lease renewal."

"For employees of any closing stores, we intend to relocate as many employees as possible to other stores," Johnson wrote.

A search for the nearest Blockbuster to the 06460 zip code was about 20 miles away, in Naugatuck.

The national video store chain has faced increasing competition from Netflix, Redbox and the availability of games and videos online. It has, in turn, adjusted its business model to remain competitive. And in 2010 it filed for bankruptcy and last year was purchased by DISH Network Corp.

"Blockbuster continues to focus on its Blockbuster Total Access DVDs By Mail service where, for a flat monthly fee, customers have access to over 100,000 titles, Blu-ray and game rentals, and in-store exchanges at participating Blockbuster stores," Johnson wrote. "Blockbuster and DISH also recently introduced the 'Blockbuster Movie Pass' for DISH satellite TV customers, which provides access to DVDs and games by mail, in-store exchanges, and movies and TV shows streamed to their TV or PC via the Internet."

Blockbuster occupies a 4,000-square-foot retail space built in 2001. It is located at 199 Cherry Street within the Milford Plaza, which is anchored by . The 15.63-acre parcel was sold in 2008 for $28,175,000 to Stoneham Milford, LLC by Milford Plaza Associates.