It’s a wrap for Blockbuster — including last store in Philly

Remember Blockbuster? With the blue and yellow movie ticket logo?

The very last representative of the video chain in Philadelphia is sandwiched between a discount store and an auto service center in the Northeast. It’s now displaying “Everything Must Go” signs in the window.

Eric Schut of TLA remembers back to the heyday of Blockbuster outlets when the video rental business was his competition. That’s ancient history now.

“I feel strange being in the business. I had no idea they actually had bricks-and-mortar stores still open anywhere,” he said shortly after the news broke that Blockbuster will close down its last 300 stores around the country.

TLA, which once had video stores throughout the city and suburbs, now operates entirely online. Schut, the managing director, said TLA staffers always thought they ran the hipper, indie alternative to Blockbuster. Thinking about it now, Schut said, he’s sad to see it go.

“There’s going to be a big void,” he acknowledged. “The social aspect of going and talking to someone. Especially if you’re old enough you remember picking up a box, seeing if it was any good, that type of stuff.”

And with that final credit, Blockbuster’s run is fading out.