Borders closing

The local Borders is closing its doors and selling off all inventory, along with 200 other Borders stores around the country. They've been in clearance mode for a couple of days already. I wanted to record the loss of a large and valued area resource, and despite some disapproval from the store management I tried to capture the feeling as this store prepares to shut its doors forever.

7D, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 non-VC, ISO 1600

1.

Didn't realize this was an international closure though I suppose that should have been obvious - border's in receivership in Australia too though no clearance Sales yet - sad really one of my favourite places to go for a cup of coffee and browse with my kids. You've captured the emptiness well.

Yes, sad to see this and Angus & Robertson under Voluntary Administrators. My wife & I read a lot and shop there all the time. Mainly because we like to browse and see books before we buy them. It was said in Australia that they just can't keep up with internet based suppliers and their lower prices. Another bricks and mortar supplier bites the dust. It will be a sad loss for bookworms like us.

Picture number 6 is why I stopped going to these places years ago. It's a bookstore, go in, buy your books, and leave. I always hated seeing people lounging around reading books, drinking coffee, listening to music... and not buying anything! Failure to adjust quickly enough to compete with Amazon and ebooks killed this place, but I'm sure the "lounging around and not buying anything" crowd played a small factor in this too. A friend of mine is an author and he now only offers his books in electronic version. I haven't asked him if he makes more money this way, but I think most of his money comes from screenplays now anyway.

Our borders passed away a couple of months ago

Borders was poorly managed. They used to be the place you went to find new or unusual books, movies and music, and were willing to pay full price for the service. Then new management came in and had the stores get rid of anything that didn't appear to be HOT. Thus you wound up with 18 copies of the movie "Knocked Up" on the shelf priced higher than you could find it at another store. Sad.