Rapid City's three Blockbuster video rental store locations will not be affected by the latest round of store closures nationally.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the company plans to close as many as 960 stores by the end of 2010, shrinking the chain by more than 20 percent.

The chain faces competition from Netflix and Redbox, new video rental business models that emphasize convenience. Netflix users order rentals online and receive them through the mail; Redbox kiosks let people drive up to a video vending machine.

But local Blockbuster franchise owner Eric Seljeskog said his three stores and other franchise locations throughout the country are not affected by the corporate cuts.

"Our stores are doing very well here," he said. "Being a franchise locally owned and operated, I think we've put a lot more emphasis on customer service and we do a lot more supporting the local community."

He said Netflix and other models do have some effect on his business but with the Netflix distribution centers so far from Rapid City, it's faster for renters to stop in a store.

The three local stores are at 780 Mountain View Road, 1225 E. St. Patrick St. and 532 E. Anamosa St.