I had a completely different Let's Talk planned for today but my topic quickly changed after my trip to the bookstore today. I have one bookstore I visit on a regular basis and that is Books-A-Million. I gave up on Barnes and Nobles here because they took my romance section and shrank it to a mere half isle. Not to mention Barnes and Nobles Romance isle is connected to the Self-help isle, just what are they implying? So I swore off Barnes and Nobles and happily began a long term relationship with Books-A-Million.
I live in a pretty small town called Ocala and I guess I should be lucky to have a bookstore at all. Today when I went on my normal trip to Books-A-Million I decided I was going to renew my membership early because next month it expires. It was then I received the most tragic news a book lover could encounter...My favorite bookstore is closing.
Call me crazy but I had this emotional meltdown. Mentally of course I prefer not to be locked up in the crazy house. I have spent every single moment in this store that I possibly could. On bad days when all I wanted to do was cry I would go to Books-A-million and hide in the romance isle. I would read on the floor hidden away from the world that has troubled me. I would buy books and linger in the coffee shop and just read my problems away. Occasional I would indulge in a chocolate treat while reading whatever new novel I discovered.
On days when everything was going wrong I would walk through those doors and be comforted by the pure smell of my favorite hideaway. When I was happy I would wonder the isles for hours looking for books on my wish list and books with a great deal. My family and I are in there so much the staff new us by name, and we knew them by name as well. I am so sad to think some of them will be out of a job.
I was informed by the staff they will be closing because of a lease agreement, and instead of reopening in a new location they will be bidding farewell to the Books-A-Million Ocala location. Really Books-A-Million is our little town location so disposable? I am ready to cuff myself to the door in some sort of protest to keep them open. I can't lose my hideaway, my home away from home, the place I run to when life just doesn't add up.
I want to hear from you. Has this happened to you? Do you understand what I am going through right now?
Sincerely,
Heart Broken
I'm sorry Danielle! I know what it feels like and I'm not ashamed to admit that I actually cried when I found out my Borders would be closing. (I was alone, because like you said I prefer to live outside of a institute). I had more warning than you though, but it still crushed me. I'm still a bit bitter over it or maybe it's the fact that they put a Forever 21 in the store.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to lose a haven, especially when it's one that has been so dependable in the past.
I had a similar situation too. I live in California, but in a small town. So when they closed my Boarders bookstore down, I had to go to Barnes and Noble which was an extra fifteen minutes away on top of the usual twenty that I take. I wasn't as impressed with Barnes and Noble either. I now get most of my books online through Amazon, but it just doesn't feel the same. Hopefully you'll be getting a different bookstore near you.
ReplyDeleteAww cupcake, this is so sad. The last time this happen was when I lived in NJ and our little corner bookstore Mom and Pop shop closed its doors because it could not compete with the mega bookstores. This is happening everywhere and keep you eye on B&N storefront, as it may be closing too. The big bookstores are moving to online warehouses..my only hope its that the Mom and Pop bookstores will reemerge. {{sending chocolate and hugs}}
ReplyDeleteWow, our B&N has three full isles dedicated to romance. However, I remember when Borders closed. I felt like I was losing a friend. Then one of the few used bookstores closed last year. I had a fit. It's really sad because while I love ebooks, sometimes I just want to sit at a bookstore and relax.
ReplyDeletenot going to lie, this kind of makes me sad too, books-a-million was always my fav book store out of the 2. i remember going their in high school all the time. ether for reads, comics, or just to hang out on some of their dorky game night. so even though im not in ocala anymore, its still kind of sad for me to know that it is closing. never been a huge B&N fan.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me when Borders closed they had the best Manga selection you could find, outside of a store dedicated to Manga, and it was so much just to browse from one bookshelf to the next, people will be lingering reading the beginning or end of the book trying to decide if they buy it or not.
ReplyDeleteIt had a strange feel, it felt like one of the safest places I could find, that nothing could disrupt it... until they closed.
Awe, I am so sorry. I remember when they closed our Borders where I lived in Florida. It was horrible. Sending you hugs....
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
See - I've had a hate relationship with Books a Million - or rather the two I've been too. There is one in Wheeling, West Virginia close to Cabanas.
ReplyDeleteVisited there and they had a rinky dink selection on romance. And I did not see any new releases. So few selections that I left in disgust. I even visited the on in South Carolina, and the staff there was RUDE. I was looking for a Caridad Pinero book and they were not helpful.
But I felt really really sad when I heard Borders was closing down. I enjoyed just walking through the isles seeing the many books. We heard that B&N was thinking about moving in... But then changed their mind on seeing that we are not a larger city like Chicago. That royally ticked me off... So we really don't have a bookstore close.. the closest that I am aware of is an hour and a half and that's BAM in Wheeling.
Aww, I feel for you, D. My town in CA isn't exactly small, but after our Boarders closed, we were left with only a couple of used book stores and places like Costco. Sucks. I really feel bad for the younger kids and teens who don't have a bookstore to experience. I was ALWAYS at the book stores growing up.
ReplyDeleteI know how you're feeling. Even though I live in a large city, and in theory there are tons of book stores, I am still sad that the borders by me closed. Every other book store is now a 20 minute drive to get to.
ReplyDeleteThis hasn't happened to me yet, but I know how you feel. I had a fave restaurant that I'd sit in for hours while reading and the staff all knew me that closed last year. I found a new restaurant, but it's not the same and I miss that old restaurant.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my least favorite aspects of Florida when I lived there: no bookstores. I visited my mother down there recently, and my husband and I had to drive over an hour to get to a bookstore. (It was the B&N in Ocala, FWIW.) Maybe they should take out a few nail salons and tanning salons and put in more bookstores!
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss of a favorite. I totally get it.
Awww, Danielle I'm so sorry - I can truly sympathize. When the Borders (two blocks away from my house) closed I was soooooo bummed out. If the B&N near me ever closes, I will riot. It's always good having a variety of book stores to check out (in case one doesn't have the romances you're looking for) in a relatively "close" distance. :( I'm sorry.
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