Business & Tech

Going, Going, Gone: Snellville Borders Shuts Doors Saturday

Mega bookstore closes in Snellville after 14 years. Sad words from Borders spokeswoman.

We've known this day would come. We've all been waiting, anxiously holding our breath for the final announcement. 

Now, it's here. The final day for the neighborhood has finally been handed down. It's Saturday. (That's according to a store clerk when I called just now.)

Four more days of savings. Four more days of good-byes. Four more days of, "So, Borders is really closing?"

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Yes, it is folks. And, I bet my Patch salary that the good folks of Borders are tired of hearing people ask, "So, when's your last day?"

I asked it a few times, and one clerk at the Tucker location told me nearly every patron question or phone call to the store is about that one thing.

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That, and the Help, the book-turned-movie, that is now nowhere to be found. At Snellville, I saw a sign telling people the store had NO copies of the book. Basically, they wanted folks to stop asking about it.

Same with the closing date. For Snellville, we know now, it's September 10. So, stop asking, folks!

A few days ago, I was at the store and took some pictures of the closing signs. At that time, it said 10 days, so I asked, and the clerk told me it might be a little longer.

I also called Borders HQ and asked if we could do a final good-bye to the neighborhood store with inside photos and comments from the workers. (Freelancer Raven Nichols actually suggested it, and I wasn't so sure Borders would say yes.) I got a big-fat "No" from Borders spokeswoman Mary Davis.

Here's her e-mail response to me:

"I understand where you are coming from, but I’ve turned down requests from hundreds of media outlets to interview staff and film/photograph in store. I have to be equitable here and decline your request.

"In addition, the Borders store that you see today is not a true representation of Borders any longer. These locations are under the control of liquidators whose entire purpose is to sell through merchandise – the days of people gathering in our stores to experience all the joys a bookstore can offer are gone."

Gosh, that response was SUPER sad. Almost made this lover of books want to shed some tears.

So, if you haven't driven over to Borders, do so. I've bought a whole lot of books since the bigger discounts started. I have no idea when I will even read these books.

But, when I do get around to cozying up on the sofa this fall with a good book from my last Borders purchases, I promise to toast some hot chocolate to bookstores everywhere.


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