Shrinking Borders

The Borders Group who had been trying to emerge from bankruptcy have now decided to liquidate and close the remaining four hundred stores affecting 10,700 employees. This is sad for the forty year old chain who unlike Barnes & Noble, failed to move into digital books. I recall Nora Ephron's 1988 movie "You've got mail" wherein Tom Hanks with his bookstore chain caused Meg Ryan to shut down her independent bookstore. And now the chain itself is broken - a victim of the digital world. However, the N.Y. Times reports that independent book stores are already feeling an increase in business from the Borders closings. As shelf space becomes scarce some publishers are printing fewer copies which might save a few trees in Nova Scotia. I always enjoyed browsing in our neighborhood Borders store with their comfortable stuffed chairs, quiet environment, wireless and coffee bar. Presumably, I didn't spend enough. Now there is one less comfort station for us seniors during the winter. At least my own publisher, Lulu.com is still in business altho I haven't seen my first royalty check yet.
tjs
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