CEDARBURG, Wis. — People in Cedarburg, Wis. have reason to party like it’s 1999.
Residents and visitors can once again “run to Blockbuster” to pick out a movie, just in a different way than they did in the 1980s through mid 2000s.
In the age of DVR, Netflix and streaming, the video rental stores that once graced Wisconsin strip malls are long gone. However, a new network of Free Blockbusters are popping up around the country.
Rick Land owns Creekside Antiques in Cedarburg. At the urging of colleagues at the store, Land installed a Free Blockbuster back in October. The concept is similar to a Little Free Library. People can come take a movie for free and are also encouraged to leave one if possible.
To say the box has been well received would be an understatement, according to Land. Land said people love the nostalgia of it.
“I think a lot of people’s memories are just going to the store picking out what they were going to take home with them for the night to watch or over the weekend. A lot of locals will come by here and a smile will go on their face,” said Land.
The box in Cedarburg is one of two boxes in Wisconsin. Another one opened up in Stevens Point in early 2022. Land said getting the whole thing up and running was surprisingly easy.
“They have a website, tell you how to build your own box,” said Land.
It is clear that passerbys love discovering the Free Blockbuster. Kerry Lynn Kraemer was visiting from Plymouth when she noticed to box for the first time; she said it was an exciting discovery.
“You see the Little Free Libraries everywhere. Those are a lot of fun to see what little things are in here. This is an excellent idea. I think more people should do this,” said Kraemer
While Land doesn’t make any money on the box, he said it still is great for business. He said many people who come to pick out a movie end up sticking around to shop at his antique shop.
To learn more about Free Blockbusters, click here.
