Borders and Other Store Closings, Museum Extends Hours

About Town visited Borders today and was greeted by large display signs in the window exclaiming “STORE CLOSING!” “EVERYTHING ON SALE!” “ENTIRE STORE 20%-40% OFF!” The store had more customers than it would normally have had during the post-lunch hours, and it seemed that everyone was on the look-out for a bargain. If the state of the first floor was any indication, it was clear that since the announcement of the store closing people have been picking through the inventory. There’s only one word to describe the children’s section upstairs: disaster.

However, back to the sales. Everything except the magazines and the steamy paperback romances are 20% off. The steamy paperback romances are 30% off the original list price and the magazines are 40% off the list price. What’s left of them, anyway. Here’s our problem. About Town has been a Borders Rewards member for years and cherished the 30% off coupon that was delivered almost daily into our in-box. Because Borders Fort Lee is now a “sell-out” store, they are not accepting any coupons. Which begs the question: why would you buy a book for 20% off the original list price when you can go to Borders.com and buy that book with your coupon for 30% off? This is the question About Town heard many patrons asking the cashiers today. Answer? “Yes, you can get 30% off if you go to Borders.com.”

Since all of the books on the first floor are only 20% off, in some cases you’re paying more for the book than you would have during the pre-closing days when Borders offered 20% markdowns on bestsellers and “Buy one, get one 50% off” on many top-selling paperbacks. Perhaps that’s why they’re having financial difficulties.

If you were thinking of having one last cup of cappuccino cheer at Borders Café with your friends, don’t bother. The café is closed. 

Another Empty Store: Benetton’s

About Town passed another empty store front today—Benetton’s, a fixture on Main Street for many, many years. The United Colors of Benetton was a great place to get clothes for the entire family and the Fort Lee location surely outfitted entire families in town for years. Unfortunately, the economy really hit Main Street hard, and it is now all black inside where the United Colors of Benetton had brightened the streetscape of Main Street for years.

And Another: J. Clores & Sons Florist

About Town also discovered the closing of a floral institution in town, J. Clores & Sons Florist. This came as quite a shock because in Fort Lee your family was either Clores or Hobel’s when it came to buying flowers. Metropolitan is the last plant standing among the giants. When About Town called the Clores phone number a woman answered and told us that a new floral shop is scheduled to open on the premises, but there would be no more liquor section. She asked not to be identified, but when About Town went to the store there were signs in the window advertising the space for rent. When About Town called the number again, no one answered after several attempts.

Fort Lee Museum Now Open Wednesday Evenings

In addition to its normal weekend hours of 12 noon to 4pm, the Fort Lee Museum is now open Wednesday evenings from 7pm-9pm in order to accommodate more guests who want to visit the museum during the week. On exhibit through the end of February are the “Archives of the Fort Lee Historical Society.” This display features artifacts and archival photos and video footage from Fort Lee during the last century. The exhibit showcases material from the famed Riviera Nightclub, Fort Lee High School, the Fort Lee Athletic Club, George Washington Bridge, and the American Revolution. Some of the material has not been seen in years, so come and visit it before it goes back into the archives.