Blockbuster remains the retail chain Marylanders most want to see make a comeback, according to a new survey by financial media company MarketBeat.
The survey of 3,014 Maryland respondents age 45 and older asked which closed national chains people would most like to return. Blockbuster ranked first, with many respondents citing the ritual of browsing for movies on a Friday night and the shared experience of picking out a film as a group.
“Streaming may be easier, but it’s never quite matched the ritual, the anticipation, or the low-stakes drama of a Blockbuster run,” the survey summary noted.
Waldenbooks came in second. Many respondents remembered it as a convenient mall staple where they could quickly browse and often leave with an unplanned purchase.
Borders ranked third. Survey participants said they missed the spacious atmosphere that encouraged people to linger, browse, and spend time reading without pressure to buy immediately.
Hollywood Video placed fourth. Some Marylanders recalled it as a slightly more chaotic alternative to Blockbuster, where they sometimes discovered unexpected movies after their first choice was unavailable.
Woolworth rounded out the top five. Respondents associated the store with a slower, more old-fashioned style of shopping that combined everyday essentials with a lunch counter experience.
“What this data shows is that the connection people have to these brands goes beyond what they sold,” said Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat. “Many of these stores turned everyday errands into actual experiences, whether that was picking out a movie, browsing without time pressure, or shopping with family. As retail has become faster and more transactional, that sense of occasion has started to disappear, and people are realizing they miss it.”
The survey highlights a broader nostalgia for in-person retail experiences that once felt more social and less rushed. While many of these chains have been replaced by online shopping and streaming services, the results suggest that some Marylanders still value the tangible, shared moments those stores once provided.
