The original Borders bookstore, on State Street in Ann Arbor, was my first bookstore. Shortly after learning how to read, I’d insist my parents take me and let me select a few books.
This was well before the store was purchased by K-Mart and turned into an international behemoth of bookselling. (Blue light specials and books always seemed like an unwise combo; with both companies now staggering towards oblivion, I can’t say I’m surprised.) The store was cramped, spread over a few floors of a hastily converted clothing store, and wonderful. Going into the Elliott Bay Book Company brings me back there.
I’m sad it all is ending this way.
The State Street Borders is awful now.
I remember when Ann Arbor said “no” to dogs coming inside, but clearly said a business can make a special case and accept ALL pets if they wanted.
Borders said NO, even though they have a frigging dog treat jar up front. The jar is STILL THERE, even though dogs have to sit outside with their butts frozen to the ground.
Of course, they keep the sidewalk swept there, which is better than outside Pinball Pete’s where hipsters leave their pooches for an hour at a time so they can go play DDR and Drummania because “it’s so sugoi ^_____^”
awww it was mine too!
I remember going there to get the Phantom Tollbooth and the original Cartoon History of the Universe (by Larry Gonnick).
I had no idea there you were an Ann Arborite too…
I’m glad I work two blocks from the Strand in NY now; good bookstores still exist.
Ahhh – yet another business ruined by Sears/K-Mart Holdings Corporation. Other businesses ruined? Sears and K-Mart.
I just want to point out that Kmart hasn’t owned Borders for about 13 years and they sold them before the Great Expansion®.
I love Sears and K-Mart!