Comments on: Running for the Borders

By: Jack B.

Jack B. — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:36:58 +0000

If Alamedans blow off Nick’s place for Borders… we’ll end up w/ no bookstores again.

Borders stock is in a death spiral, aside from the recent pop on buyout rumors from Barnes and Noble. Borders today denies any substantive talks. B&N just reported weak earnings and their outlook is grim.

My guess is: Borders will be forced to close underperforming stores over the next few years. “Lifestyle” stores will be the first to close first, because they don’t bring in the cash. These rollouts were planned when the consumer was still strong.

By: Edmundo Delmundo

Edmundo Delmundo — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:53:29 +0000

17 years and one too many at the Forbidden Island…

good knowledge John

By: john piziali

john piziali — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:00:40 +0000

Delmundo, no escalator in J.C.Penny’s at south shore. My mother worked there for years it was a single story store.
17 years a mere blink of an eye. Just kidding.

By: Lauren Do

Lauren Do — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:39:28 +0000

Edmundo, I hear that the Alameda Theatre will also be sporting a nifty new escalator. So by Thursday the official Alameda escalator count will be: 2.

By: Jeff Mitchell

Jeff Mitchell — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:58:07 +0000

Edmundo — I would just point out that there’s quite a bit of difference between Books Inc. (a Bay Area-based chain whose Alameda location is managed by fellow Islander Nick Petrulakis) and Borders, a national conglomerate based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If I can only get something I need at Borders, fine, I’ll shop there. Otherwise, I’ll be spending my hard-earned cash at Nick’s and other local book sellers first. I would invite and encourage other Alamedans to do the same.

By: Edmundo Delmundo

Edmundo Delmundo — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:11:44 +0000

Wow..I remember when Books Inc was considered a nefarious outsider, a locally owned “chain” box/store, viewed with much skepticism by the local hordes.

How quickly we adapt and forget…

By: Jeff Mitchell

Jeff Mitchell — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:55:12 +0000

John: I must say that I’m feeling decidedly cool about the presence of Borders at ATC. I’m even more unenthusiastic about how some of the near gratuitous local coverage this new store has received lately. While on one hand I’m sure that I will eventually get over there to take in all the fancy bells and whistles, I remain worried about the future existence of our already established book retailers. After all, how much would it suck to have Borders force the much smaller Books Inc. on Park Street out of business? (Answer: it would suck a lot.) While better shopping and entertainment choices in Alameda will always be welcomed in my book, we should all try to show some consumer loyalty to stores like Books Inc. and others that have been faithfully serving us now for some time.

By: Edmundo Delmundo

Edmundo Delmundo — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:37:11 +0000

If memory serves me correctly, there used to be an escalator in the old JC Penney (site of current Trader Joe’s in the former South Shore Center).

I’ve only lived on the Isle for 17 years, so I’m not officially a resident yet (and you’ll never catch me butchering the word VERSAILLES so I may never attain official status), but perhaps someone can verify that distant memory for me.

If I am correct, Borders may not have the FIRST escalator, but likely the ONLY one for now. Will the Alameda Theater have escalators? duh duh duh…