UPDATE: Movie rentals to end Saturday at Maricopa Blockbuster

The Maricopa Blockbuster will discontinue movie rentals after Saturday as the company prepares to close all U.S. retail stores and distribution centers.

DISH Network Corporation, which owns the movie rental company, announced the closings Wednesday. About 300 retail stores will shut their doors. 

A store employee told InMaricopa.com Thursday that due dates and late fees at the Maricopa location, which is near Bashas', will still apply after the final day of renting. The store will be closed Sunday to Nov. 14. It will reopen Nov. 15 to sell store items such as movies. 

The employee was not authorized to speak to the media as per company policy. The employee was able to answer general questions that local customers have been asking. 

More details about the Nov. 15 sale will be available in the near future. Calls to DISH Network were not immediately returned Thursday.

Customers who already have paid for monthly rental passes will be refunded, the employee said. Beginning today, the passes no longer will be honored. 

While nationwide retail and distribution centers are closing, DISH plans to retain its Blockbuster @Home service, which streams movie channels, movies and TV shows to televisions, computers or iPads. The company also will keep its Blockbuster On Demand service, which streams movies to phones, computers, tablets and other devices.