Blockbuster to Close Garfield Store April 7

With the Garfield Road Blockbuster Video in Clinton Township scheduled to close April 7, the countdown to liquidate all of the store’s remaining merchandise has begun.

The store at 41140 Garfield is one of approximately 300 Blockbuster locations slated to close nationwide this year as the one-time video rental giant continues its struggle to compete against new options such as Redbox, Netflix and countless other Internet streaming services.

"We continue to see value in the Blockbuster brand and we will continue to analyze store level profitability and -- as we have in the past -- close unprofitable stores," John Hall, a spokesperson at Dish Network Corp., recently told ABC News. Dish purchased Blockbuster in 2011. "Some of the approximately 300 stores are reaching the end of their lease and others are closing based on overall performance."

According to bankruptcy documents filed by Blockbuster in 2010, the Clinton Township store's lease wasn't due to expire until Nov. 30, 2013. However, it will close regardless April 7.

Leading up to that date, the store will work to sell its entire stock, from DVDs in a range of categories, to wire shelving, neon “open” signs, cleaning supplies and even cases of water and pop.

While most DVDs are priced at $6.99 or less, store fixtures such as magazine racks, coming attraction panels and even a gumball machine range from $25 to $300, although a recent Craigslist post tells potential buyer that “no reasonable offer will be refused.”

Blockbuster is accepting cash, as well as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards.

Although customers can no longer rent movies or games from the Clinton Township location, they can still sign up in store to receive two months of free Blockbuster rentals by mail or a one-month “Blue Ticket,” offering unlimited movie and TV show rentals from a nearby store.

After this location permanently closes, the next closest Blockbuster location will be in Macomb Township at the corner of Card Road and 21 Mile.

During the closing sale, Blockbuster will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 586-412-0600 for details on available merchandise.