Blockbuster Closing Hilo Store Location

Dish Network Corp. has announced that Blockbuster’s Hilo location is among 300 stores being closed within the next several weeks.

Dish Network purchased Blockbuster in 2011 after the in-home movie and game company went into bankruptcy in 2010.

The company closed 500 Blockbuster locations across the country in 2012.

Locally, Blockbuster’s Kona store closed in 2011 and its Waimea branch also closed.

According to ABC News, the latest closures will leave just 500 Blockbuster locations open nationwide.

Emily Hirayama, store manager of the Hilo Blockbuster, declined to comment on the store’s closing, saying she was not permitted to speak with the media.

A spokesperson for Dish Network told ABC News that some of the stores were being closed because they were at the end of their lease while others were closing due to underperformance.

The video rental chain has had a tough time competing against companies like Netflix and Redbox.

Although the physical stores are closing, Blockbuster will continue to offer video streaming on its website, as well as its DVD-by-mail service.

A liquidation sale at the store located at 111 East Puainako St. is slated to begin around Feb. 4.