The news became official this week – Borders book stores are closing for good. While this announcement does not come as a complete surprise (Borders has been “on the ropes” for quite some time), it does bring sadness. I have enjoyed shopping at my local Borders since it came to town. I know, my preference for Borders helped bring about the demise of small, local bookstores, and I’m truly sorry for that. But dang it, driving downtown to the small, indie bookstore, trying to find a parking spot, feeding a meter, and forever watching the clock to make sure you weren’t ticketed took something away from the experience. And the selection? No contest.
Sure, Borders wasn’t my ideal bookstore – that be Powell’s in Portland – given that its kids’ section, especially the nonfiction area, has dried up over the years, the cashier lines could be ridiculous at times, and their book buying became directed by headquarters, eliminating local decision-making and thereby drying up the a good market for local authors, but the store was convenient and comfortable to hang out. And the words, surrounded by millions of words and, with them, endless possibilities. I’ll miss the place.
Haha. I’m glad you did, too. Or maybe, if only you (and millions of others) had signed up, Borders would still be viable. No guilt, though…
I can’t say that I’ve been in there more than a couple times over the last year. I was actually in before the announcement of the closure, and the cashier asked if I wanted to join the rewards program. I’m glad I declined.