Blockbuster is Busted

For the last 18 years, you could take a trip up Bridgeport Ave and find the wondrous world of cinema for five days at a time, but at the end of April, that will no longer be the case as Blockbuster closes its doors for the final time.

“Its sad. I think technology is taking over,” said Jackie Karolkowski, one of the seven employees at Blockbuster, “End of an era. Bookstores are closing, video stores are closing, what’s next?”

The store’s stock is now on sale through the end of the month, with older movies priced at $5.99 or 5 for $20. The video games and new releases sections are nearly bare, but what remains are priced at $14.99 and $12.99-14.99, respectively.

“You guys are great and I’m sorry it ended this way for you,” said store regular, Karen Segerson.

The store was still renting out videos as late as last Thursday, March 31, but began selling off their stock the next day, which prompted a rush of sales over the weekend, with people buying up stacks of movies at a time, according to Karolkowski.

All of the franchised branches under the GT Management in the area are closing; leaving only the corporate-owned Blockbuster in Milford open in the area.

Dish Network recently bought Blockbuster Inc. for $320 million at Blockbuster’s bankruptcy auction. Blockbuster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September of last year.