>there are two other Borders stores within several miles of my home, as well as two Barnes & Noble storesAnd that is why yours is closing. When you have three of the same store within a few miles of each other, they cut each other's throats. Starbucks learned that the hard way.

Currently there is a raging zoning battle in my neck of the woods-homeowners who want to keep their front yards, versus an out-of-state developer who wants to take them to widen a road for access to yet another shopping center. At the last hearing, the representative of the developer stood up and had the gall to say that our area was "under-retailed" right after a homeowner had listed about 20 vacant commercial properties-several only a few miles from the site in question. The new shopping mecca would replace a park. (Can you tell where I vote on this issue?)

cc, I'm with you on the development. Give me a front yard anytime. I am a little impressed that they are planning to widen the road before the shopping center has created a traffic nightmare, though.

As to the number of book stores, I agree it sounds like a lot and obviously is too many. However, there are many, many people living in these areas and traffic is always so bad that going to either of the other two Borders would only be done if necessary, not for my form of retail therapy. I will have to adopt one of the Barnes & Noble stores now. It is nice enough but a good deal smaller than my Borders and I always think I'm missing out on something there.

We have the same problem where I live -- overdevelopment and empty retail space. I'm not impressed with companies who close their stores only to buy land two blocks down the street to build a brand new space because they've decided that area might nab them more customers or reduce the amount of customers going to their competitor. It's environmentally irresponsible, IMO. One store that has actually impressed me with being responsible is JC Penny's. I've noticed they've actually renovated existing vacant retail space when moving into a location (they did this with our local, vacated K-mart store and I've seen reports of them doing this in other areas, too).

cc; I read your development story on the day when a resident living in my retirement village told me that a rumour of changes was definite. Long front gardens facing each other in her block were being shortened and a row of the self-contained homes that we live in will be put there. Although the residents have been complaining about having to maintain such big gardens, I am wondering how the architect will design homes to fit into the small area thus provided. We don't look forward to the noise, dust etc. but this location is now prime real estate and has a long waiting list. So we have to be realistic. The big garden in front of my home was used up before I moved in to allow more houses to be built so I have a manageable space that I can look after with just a little occasional help. I have planted rose bushes and mulch them annually.
I can understand the feelings of those people who want to keep a space around them , especially if the neighbours are noisy. Luckily we are fairly quiet excepting on New Year's Eve when we stay up late, well some do!

news update-the township commissioners have had to approve the shopping development-shortsighted laws passed many years ago and never updated-but they have imposed many many conditions. Unfortunately, one of those is to widen the all ready very busy, noisy road to allow for center left turn lanes. Imagine having traffic whizzing by (and they do whizz-speed limit is 40, so think 55 through a residential area) about 15 ft. from your front door. Currently there is a sidewalk for the safe movement of pedestrians. Haven't heard if they are going to be required to rebuild the sidewalks as well. This is not my neighborhood, by the by, but I do travel this road fairly often. Even with left turn lanes, it will be a mess.

I don't buy many books at Borders, but neither do I buy from Amazon. The library & thrift stores is where I rent/buy 90 percent of my books.
As far as DVDs, why would anyone buy from Borders when, even with the 50 percent off coupons they give Rewards Club members, the everyday prices at Amazon are still cheaper? Methinks they mark up too much or charge full retail.
I do like to browse the store occasionally, but I've always liked bookstores ever since I was a kid. Wallet usually stays in pocket.