Monday, July 25, 2011

In Memoriam: Borders

Sometimes a funeral is very emotional to see when you lose a loved one. Some say their fondest farewells and move on, some keep the memory alive by any means necessary. Some however may never take the truth for what it is and just live within a lie. It's in contrasts different when a funeral for a business dies. The memories are still there, but instead it's about sharing what you remember the most and how a certain place may change your life.

Borders was a chain of bookstores that were near and dear close to my heart. For as far as I can remember, they were the place I went to in to find all the books I needed. Many have done the same. Why, even by a chance I can guess some lucky guy met their bookworm of their dreams and spent some good time together. Many shared a book club with both child and adults to recommend a book of the week for all to read. I was there scoping out the manga mostly and have stumbled upon many folk and shared with friends the discoveries I've seen. Even back a couple of years ago, I could go to any of the 18 or more stores within the county range and find a book in case the other store didn't have it. It was convenient to in that way because no matter what store I go to, they are sure to see me purchasing when I can.

It was however somewhere between 2006 and till now that Borders was going through financial problems. It was revealed later that their profits were not up to par so they started closing stores. Later on after the wrath of the Great Recession or in between they started closing more stores because rent was too high. A great loss to be sure, but I have a conspiracy that squatters were the demon that killed thine savior. Every time I went to a store there were many a man, child, teen, or man child who sat down in front of a bookshelf, with a pile of books next to them as they read and read and ate flaming cheetos and drank crappacino and put it back when they were done. Not even once did they buy a single book. The other reason for their demise was the online competition and e-reader boom. I still stand by the squatters because it was them who I saw the most during my travels to the store. The most egregious of all is the narutard who had a backpack and the aforementioned pile. There were also thieves who would take the security tag off and end up leaving the store with a petty thieves' value in books.

After the Great Recession every store that was within distance were dropping like flies till now.. Upon reading I discovered that they were in serious debt and by this time they filed for bankruptcy. Within a few weeks of that announcement I saw various links stating they were looking for buyers and bidders, but sadly a group within Borders declined them and now their inevitable death awaits. The stores that are left are dying and will eventually leave this earth by September

What I find very very heart warming is seeing many many people offer condolences and incredibly sweet happy memories to their own store. It brings a tear to my eye to see such dedication and devotion to a company. So in honor of Borders, I'm placing a memorial in my backyard with Border's name on it. It will lay beside Media Play and the beginning years of G4. Borders, you will be missed by all, but one most of all and as humanity and god is my witness, I swear I and Rarefindit will revive you. Good night sweet prince. From thy cover read thee to thy rest.