I am a former Borders Books employee. Former due to the fact that I had to quit because I spent my entire- the literal ENTIRE- paycheck on books. I had no self control. Imagine the financial ruin if I were to work at a place like anthropologie or j.crew, with tempting treats much more expensive than a book! For each hour of work I could afford, with my discount, one book. I treated my 8 hour shifts like long shopping excursions, pretending to shelve and tidy when really I was performing a thorough top to bottom inventory and squirreling my selections away into a secret hiding spot. I worked only when exasperated customers asked me for a suggestion on something good to read, and that I did very well. Even when my managers tried to place me, the sole female employee at the time, in the children's section it did not stop. I just found young adult and children's books to add to the stash. Eloise? Love her. Ramona? I better get them all.
I left for the greener pastures of work as a harbor dock hand, but tried once to go back for seasonal hire. Now my shifts resembled elaborate Christmas gift planning missions. Books for everyone! Years have passed and now I cleverly maintain a career in a hospital environment, where there's nothing to buy but coffee, but I have remained a loyal and frequent book buying customer. I'm startled and shocked to report that Borders has now declared bankruptcy- even my robust monetary contributions could not save them- and is closing many of its stores, including all of the Austin stores. And the store by my parents house in Chicago. And the store by Will's parents house in Dallas.
When, oh when, will I ever see a Borders again? Gone will be the days of 30% and 40% off coupons and all the hardcovered bliss they've provided. Before you go acting all shocked that I don't support independent bookstores, let me just say that when you have a book addiction as serious as I do, you need coupons, people. Weekly coupons. This nerdy beast feeds on the lowest prices available. Full price is no fun and will just not do. Sometimes I have a Carrie Bradshaw moment, where I look at my bookshelves and calculate...each book x roughly $20 give or take = yikes no wonder I don't own a home yet. Then I remember those coupons and breath a sigh of relief.
When, oh when, will I ever see a Borders again? Gone will be the days of 30% and 40% off coupons and all the hardcovered bliss they've provided. Before you go acting all shocked that I don't support independent bookstores, let me just say that when you have a book addiction as serious as I do, you need coupons, people. Weekly coupons. This nerdy beast feeds on the lowest prices available. Full price is no fun and will just not do. Sometimes I have a Carrie Bradshaw moment, where I look at my bookshelves and calculate...each book x roughly $20 give or take = yikes no wonder I don't own a home yet. Then I remember those coupons and breath a sigh of relief.
I'm sad Borders is closing, but when stores close along come... closing sales. I spent a feverish two hours browsing the picked over everything must go 50-60% off inventory and managed to come away with a heavy heart but both arms full.
{photo by Maux. books by Borders, RIP}
