It appears that Red Deer is losing one of its three Blockbuster stores.
Blockbuster Canada was placed into receivership earlier this month. Its court-appointed receiver, Grant Thornton Ltd., said Tuesday that some of the movie and video game rental chain’s outlets will be closing, but did not elaborate. The Canadian Press subsequently reported that store managers had placed the figure at 140 — nearly a third of all the Blockbuster outlets in Canada — with these scheduled to close on June 18. An employee at Blockbuster’s 5016 51st Ave. store, just south of Real Canadian Superstore, confirmed on Wednesday that that location is among those closing. “Thursday will be our last day being a rental store,” said the staff member, who did not want to be identified. “Friday morning will be our first day as a clearance store.” The employee said the sale of assets at the store is expected to continue until mid-June. Staff at the store received notification of the closure about a week ago, said the employee, who was uncertain how many people work there. The Canadian Press said Blockbuster Canada stores each employ about 10 people. Staff at the Blockbuster stores at Taylor Plaza and Easthill Centre in Red Deer, and in Sylvan Lake, told the Advocate that those outlets will remain open. Grant Thornton is seeking prospective buyers of Blockbuster Canada’s assets. Last September, Blockbuster Canada’s U.S. parent company came under bankruptcy protection and has since been sold to Dish Network Corp.