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Borders Group, the bookstore, announced yesterday that it will close its Pleasanton store and many others across the country by April.
“Because of the ongoing impact of the difficult U.S. economy, coupled with the rapidly changing bookselling environment, we must restructure Borders and reposition our business for long-term success,” Mary Davis, Borders Group Public Relations Manager, said. “We determined that the best path for Borders to have the ability to achieve this reorganization is through the Chapter 11 process, which we commenced February 16 (today).”
The company said it plans to continue to maintain a strong national presence, calling its nationwide network of stores “foundational to the Borders brand.”
The stores that are closing, which Borders said are “underperforming stores, include 36 in California. Besides the Pleasanton store in the Metro 580 shopping center, where the Kohl’s and Wal-Mart stores are located, other East Bay stores being closed are in Fremont, San Ramon and Union City.
Overall, more Borders stores in California will be closed than in any other state.
“It has become increasingly clear that in light of the environment of curtailed customer spending, our ongoing discussions with publishers and other vendor related parties, and the company’s lack of liquidity, Borders Group does not have the capital resources it needs to be a viable competitor,” Mikes Edwards, Borders Group president, said.
“This decisive action will give Borders the opportunity to achieve a proper infusion of capital in order to have the opportunity to have the time to reorganize in order to reposition itself to be a successful business for the long term,” he added.
Sources said Borders was unable to compete with Amazon.com and e-readers.
Borders Group has retained DJM Realty to manage the disposition of its stores. For information on those closings, Borders suggested contacting Brook Horn at DJM for more information at (631) 752-1100.
Being that your name is MainStreetDiva, I would think that you would mention Towne Center Books. They are so helpful, always with good recs, plus will order any book they dont have and get it within a couple of days. This is where I spend my money, not the big stores.
I agree with Really? Towne Center Books always has or will get the book I want. MainStreetDiva you may want to re think and shop where your name takes you.
I also feel Borders closing is sad. Thank you readers for mentioning Towne Center Books. I tend to forget them but from now on will go there.
VERY sad they are closing. Just heard from a friend this morning… We’ve been meeting there weekly and the manager there is so gracious he puts out tables and welcomes us with open arms… VEry Sad ~ Art Critique and Coffee a Local Art Group has been meeting for a few years now showing our work and discussing how to make the paintings better.
WE ARE IN DIRE NEED OF A NEW PLACE TO MEET to keep us out of the bad weather. Anyone Have an empty space where about 20 artists can meet?
Iam so unhappy that the Pleasanton Borders is closing, I heard the list on last nights news, it did not mention Pleasanton.
Even with the hometown-v-big-box angle here, I still wonder if Towne’s victory is bittersweet, considering how tough it is to maintain small space and keep the door open for publishers to do further business. Best Wishes To TCB! Towne Center shall adapt wherever they need to!
Hasn’t MainStreetDiva (should be DublinDiva) seen the movie “You’ve Got Mail”? Towne Center Books for the win!
Very sad. I know it is a big chain, and I do love Towne Center Books, but thre are fewer and fewer places where you can browse and be inspired to buy a book (or three). Amazon is great if you know exactly what you want, but not if you want to discover something new; or compare different books of a similar type. Books are becoming more like cable and TV talk shows — or even music (on ipods) — no one looks at, listens to, or reads anything other than their own narrow, preselected preferences. This is not a way to bring society together. No wonder we have increasing “cultural divides” in this country.
As the owner of Towne Center Books, I thought I’d “weigh in” on this topic. It’s always a loss to a community when a bookstore closes. It’s also a major loss to the publishers who will also cut back on jobs and expenses (including publications) to cover this loss. Undoubtedly credit terms will become tougher.
We’re happy to be in business – thanks to our wonderful supportive customers. We’ll continue to be here as long as enough people shop here. For those of you unfamiliar with our store here’s a short introduction:
We’re independentally owned and located at 555 Main Street
We offer:
a handselected assortment of books in all genres
special orders received usually within 1 -2 days
free loyalty program $10.00 discount after every 10 visits with purchase.
author events and bookclubs
free delivery in Pleasanton
free shipping over $25.00 to one location
convenient hours – 10-9 weekdays; 10-10 Fri and Sat; 11-6 Sun.
parking behind the store
knowledgeable experienced staff
As I hope everyone knows by now shopping local is best for the community. $.60 of every dollar spent in a locally owned business stays in the community. I’m proud to be a part of this wonderful community both as a business owner and resident.
You can visit us on our website http://www.townecenterbooks.com/
Thank you.
I love Towne Center Books. It’s close and if they don’t have what I’m looking for they can order it. If I’m not sure what I’m looking for they can make suggestions. They helped me get my daughter into reading and that was a huge accomplishment. I haven’t gotten that kind of advice and help from a large bookstore or via on-line ordering. It’s a great resource for our community and we should patronize them when we can.
Sad that Borders is closing. I always liked that store. But there are plenty of other options – Towne Center Books, Barnes & Nobles… where ever one is inclined to go, especially depending on where you live. I live close to the Dublin border, but I love going downtown to the Farmer’s Market and to walk around & shop. But once in a while, I don’t necessarily feel like driving down there, so I’d go over to Dublin. I don’t think bloggers on here should give someone such a hard time for wanting to frequent other stores in a neighboring town.
Another option is the library. They have books there too and its free!
There are lots of ways to look at it. B & N are closing stores too. I love our little local book store and the library is great too. That said I do love the modern large book stores with attached cafe areas as well. Each is unique and has something to offer. Democracy is all about the freedom of choice. If our choices are whittled down we become a captive group.
So many jobs will be lost and a source told me it’s all about Cost of doing business in California. Not only is it difficult to Live in CA but doing business is too costly for many businesses, large and small ~ We need to keep businesses in this state to keep our communities thriving.
Better spend those Christmas gift cards.
Say all you want about the big retail chains….but have a little compassion for those who know that in several weeks they will no longer have a job…a paycheck….rent or grocery money…
The employees at the Pleasanton Borders are like family to each other…and they are ALL are book lovers at heart. Try to remeber this before you brush aside the closing of any business.
as a current employee of pleasanton borders, we are all extremely upset that our store is closing. when we found out we were all in extreme shock and are still numb. we have no notification of anything that is going on and they already closed the cafe thursday. we are a very close knit group and are devistated that we will no longer to be able to work together, and there are multiple family members that work either in our store or the closer locations.
I find most companies are not very loyal to their employees. I’ve been through it before as well as my husband. They pat you on the back and say you’re doing a great job, this and that and then the rug is pulled out from under you. No notice when they are going to close or when your job is being cut. Normally you get a Last Minute notice. Companies Require, Demand and Expect your loyalty but where is the Loyalty when it comes to the Employees ~ My heart goes out to you ~
How sad, I had hoped they would keep the Pleasanton store open.
Now we’ll give our business to Dublin at Barnes & Noble (or use our e-books).