Despite the news, I guess I've been in denial. On one hand, I couldn't dispute the recent headlines, but on the other hand, I was hoping against hope that something would happen to save Borders from closure. That is, until last night when I drove past a big "going out of business" banner spanning the front of a Borders store in Southfield.
My Borders experience goes back years, and in a different state. When I moved to Bangor, Maine, years ago, there were so many outdoorsy things to do that more than made up for the apparent lack of stores, restaurants or night spots.
One of the mainstays at the relatively small Bangor Mall complex even then was Borders. I'd never been in one before moving there and I loved it immediately. I found little known titles, helpful clerks and an overall welcoming atmosphere. Yes, I'm not a big fan of the big box stores, but with Borders, at least in Bangor, you had a store that really tried to fit in with its community.
Borders was also just one of two bookstores in the area. And, given Bangor's then-lacking social scene, Borders was a cool place to meet for coffee, chat awhile and pick up a good book or CD. I think it even had performers in the cafe area during weekend evenings. You always bumped into people you knew.
Over the years, Bangor grew into a city I probably would be hard pressed to recognize in some neighborhoods now. Even while I still lived there, a lot of cool stuff started taking off. Not only has the mall district swelled to capacity, but the once lackluster downtown is a thriving, diverse area offering antiques, great restaurants, boutiques, watering holes, you name it.
I hear part of this is a result of a post-Sept. 11 rural migration. People fled cities for safer, more remote areas. Always ranking pretty highly in those "great place to raise your family" lists, Bangor welcomed these folks and their business.
I also credit stores like Borders as adding to Bangor's attraction. I'd been told that the Bangor store was the leading outlet east of the Mississippi for the Ann-Arbor based business. The Bangor Daily News reported that it consistently ranked in the top 50 stores nationally.
So it seems a shame to close down such a top performing store that has been such a vital part of a community. And such a sign of the times. But I probably won't be able to resist the liquidation sales.
50% off this! In Bangor there is talk that Bull Moose Music just might lease the borders location on Hogan Road after Books A million pulled out of any leasing agreements that they where entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThe Underwood typewriter on the top of your page is great. Nick just found on at an antique store. It's larger than life and heavy, too! He has a thing for old typewriters.
Mr. Paperback is talking about getting back the old customers that they lost when borders came into town...but they can't make up there minds if they are a book store or a gift shop. The Paperback in the Airport Mall, the only one in Bangor, told me the only way that they have stayed in business so long is by the amount of porno mags that they sell. Which surprises me in this computer- cyber-sex age that we live in.
Also there is still the local book seller on Third St. in Bangor, Pro Libras, which is run by Eric Furry. He is the only person in town that really knows books, authors, etc.
Nick is a man after my own heart! I had an old one, too, but I don't think it made the move from ME to NC. Shame. Now that you mention all of these books sellers, I'm going to revise the blog - I remember them, now! I also remember Lipincott's - but that's used and I don't know if it counts.
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