Losing Borders

It seemed like business as usual at the Borders store in Meriden’s Westfield Shopping Mall Monday night.

Patrons browsed through the chain bookshop and left with bags of books and DVD's, while the cafe crowd took up about half of the tables near the store's entrance to the mall, either tapping on their laptops or chatting over coffee.

Everyone seemed unaware that earlier in the day the bookstore's headquarters had called for the Meriden store – along with 398 others throughout the U.S. – .

Some, like the Crosby Family of Prospect, who came out with multiple bags of books, hadn't heard about the full Borders closure, but knew that the chain was in trouble. The mother and her two girls stopped in Monday night because they were so surprised to find a store open.

The Meriden location is one of last three full-sized Borders stores left in the state, along with Farmington and Waterford. The chain closed down shops in Danbury, Manchester, Milford, Simsbury, Southbury, Wilton, Fairfield and Stamford this spring, as it went through bankruptcy proceedings.

Linda Murphy and her two daughters Lauren and Morgan of Bristol had gotten used to splitting their time between the Meriden and Farmington Borders in West Farms Mall, and were sad to hear that the company would fully close its doors. The three were at the Meriden location Monday night.

"We don't have a choice, we'll have to go to Barnes and Noble now," Linda Murphy said. A member of the Borders Rewards discount program, Murphy had just bought about $80 in of books and DVD's at a discount for a summer road trip the family would be taking. "I don't think Barnes and Noble has as good a program."

Barnes and Noble, Borders' main competitor, has 13 stores throughout the state, with the nearest branches to Meriden all located more than 12 miles away in Farmington, North Haven, Waterbury, West Hartford, Glastonbury and Canton.

The closure leaves just one bookstore in the city, and none that sells new books. The Friends of the Library bookstore, which has just moved into the building at 105 Miller Street, sells used books that have been donated to the library in an effort to fundraise for the organization. 

"I think a lot of people are disappointed with it going out," said Rosanne Ford, Vice President of Membership Services for Meriden's Chamber of Commerce. The store itself, which first opened its doors in 2006, wasn't a Chamber member, but Westfield Shopping Mall is. "Any time you lose a business, it is a loss not only for the local economy but for the community as well."

Meriden resident Heather Bellobuono-Cassidy is one of those people sad to see the store go. The Platt High School Spanish teacher said Tuesday that she frequented the store to get resources like workbooks and textbooks for her classes. "Barnes and Noble isn't that close...You can't just go to Walmart for those," she said. 

Bellobuono-Cassidy said she'd also miss the store's presence in town. With a coffee shop that sometimes showcased local musicians, it was a nice place to relax, she said. She went to the store Tuesday after learning of its closing to pick up a cup of coffee and materials she could before the store sold off its stock. "I'll probably be in there again this week."

The Meriden Borders does not have an official closing date, but it will likely be shuttered by the end of September, said company spokesperson Mary Davis by e-mail Tuesday. Store events, like summer camp activites the location sponsored would likely be cancelled, she said.

The store will have a going out of business sale, Davis said, but she was not sure when it would begin. Gift cards, she assured, would be honored and redeemed throughout the sale, but she said she was not sure about Borders Rewards Discounts.

Asked for comment, employees at the Meriden location said they were not allowed to speak to the media, but sent requests to the corporation's media relations department.

In its statement Monday, The company blamed the final closing on a perfect storm caused by eReaders, changes in the book industry, and a flailing economy.

Many Borders customers interviewed were not eReader fans.

"I like the real deal. I like to turn the pages and see how far I’ve progressed," Bellobuono-Cassidy said.

The Murphys were divided on the issue.

Morgan Murphy, 13, a voracious reader, said she had books everywhere around her room, and even a special drawer for books and related items – her bookmarks, and notes she had taken on readings.

Her sister Lauren Murphy, 10, said she was less of a reader, but found her classroom eReader engaging. If she didn't know a word she said she could click on it and would link directly to the definition online.  She said it made her more interested in reading.