David Farrier

It is a smell. I was talking to Rob before, like, what is the smell? It's like, is it carpet mixed with like plastic?

It is a smell. I was talking to Rob before, like, what is the smell? It's like, is it carpet mixed with like plastic?

Do you still have, in New Zealand, do you have the adult section? Do you have that in America?

Do you still have, in New Zealand, do you have the adult section? Do you have that in America?

Me and Rob walk around the store, taking it all in. There's something just so satisfying about seeing all this physical media organized in front of you, the new releases, the sections for horror and action and romance, all curated by humans over algorithms. How does it work now? Is it Blu-rays? Is it DVDs? What are people actually coming in here to rent?

Me and Rob walk around the store, taking it all in. There's something just so satisfying about seeing all this physical media organized in front of you, the new releases, the sections for horror and action and romance, all curated by humans over algorithms. How does it work now? Is it Blu-rays? Is it DVDs? What are people actually coming in here to rent?

We stop in front of a section dedicated to classic 90s movies.

We stop in front of a section dedicated to classic 90s movies.

So these are the ones, okay, growing up a 90s kid, okay, you've got Indian in the Cupboard, Homeward Bound, my God.

So these are the ones, okay, growing up a 90s kid, okay, you've got Indian in the Cupboard, Homeward Bound, my God.

Beethoven, Yummy as My Childhood, Casper. They're still making physical media. Do you think there's ever going to be an end to Blockbuster? Is there a time when they're going to stop making stuff and it is going to stop?

Beethoven, Yummy as My Childhood, Casper. They're still making physical media. Do you think there's ever going to be an end to Blockbuster? Is there a time when they're going to stop making stuff and it is going to stop?

Of course, as well as the store being a real place, you can currently rent physical media. This is also a tourist trap. There's a section full of merch. What are people grabbing?

Of course, as well as the store being a real place, you can currently rent physical media. This is also a tourist trap. There's a section full of merch. What are people grabbing?

Of course, I got some stuff. Matching hoodie and sweatpants. And there's a couple next to me, Jason and Tracy, picking out stuff too.

Of course, I got some stuff. Matching hoodie and sweatpants. And there's a couple next to me, Jason and Tracy, picking out stuff too.

We've been here for about an hour. You honestly just get lost in this place. As we get ready to leave, I had one final question. Who owns it? Like, who actually owns this place?

We've been here for about an hour. You honestly just get lost in this place. As we get ready to leave, I had one final question. Who owns it? Like, who actually owns this place?

As for the longest serving person here today, well, that would be Sandy Harding, general manager. 21 years this year.

As for the longest serving person here today, well, that would be Sandy Harding, general manager. 21 years this year.