Borders not as good as it used to be
By Silver Springer • Jul 22nd, 2008 • Category: MORE NEWS, Silver Springer
When Borders book store first opened it was nice place to go, meet up with friends and be able to pick from a diverse selection, now you can find about as much to purchase on dressing up a book as actually finding a book to read.
They have an entire section dedicated to designer book covers with glitter and paste in the middle of the store; you can now find any container you want whereas before you could find some reasonably priced new books in that section. Now Borders feels less like a book store.
There’s a cheap appearance in the front of the store now with a set up of brown cardboard boxes full of books marked “50% off”
The worst part is that there used to be some comfy black leather (pleather?) seats dispersed throughout the store but they have since been removed, the only place you can sit down in is the Children’s section or the isle adjacent to the Seattle Coffee shop which isn’t as good because they’re hard wooden benches with no back support. Good enough for a 5 min sit before you get fed up and leave.
I wonder if this has increased profit or annoyed people and decreased traffic. It’s not as crowded as it used to be but you can still find people sitting on the floor. I guess it’s harder to deter Silver Springers than they thought. I think this also speaks to the demand for a quality library in downtown Silver Spring.
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Given the subjects and comments I’ve seen on the blogs recently, I’d say DTSS isn’t as good as it used to be.
The “ne’er do wells” that dominate the nights & weekends on/near Ellsworth are driving away a significant number of Silver Springers who would prefer to spend our money locally. Perhaps enough MoCo & Foulger Pratt decision makers will read enough of the comments on all these blogs to get the message: it’s time to crack down on the endless cursing, cruising and inappropriate behavior before things really go to hell.
@batman -
Maybe it’s the economy.
There also seem to be fewer clerks working at Borders; certainly the lines seem longer, and it’s very hard to find anyone within the store to help out.
I agree on both the state of Borders and on the state of DDSS in general. Friday night a friend and I were were tossing around going to a movie and wandering around Borders and then decided against it. The reason? Neither one of us felt like dealing with wading through the chaos and total anarchy that dominates the area on a weekend. (I’m also 29 and far from conservative, before any thoughts are made about that…).
I don’t mind the “anarchy” outside (teenagers are wont to hang around and offend their elders, wherever you go); I mind the increasing lack of selection inside. I have watched the classical CD section wither away to a shadow of its former self. Before, I used to be able to go into Borders with an idea of what I wanted to buy and have a reasonable chance of getting it. Now I’m just fishing around for something that might strike my fancy.
The Silver Spring Borders was always small, and now it’s smaller.
I was downtown on Friday night this past week, and was appalled. The cursing was horrible. Some guy rough housing with friends fell backward over my stroller nearly sitting on my sleeping child. Women in spike heels and ultra mini dresses. I thought I had landed in the twilight zone. I’m in the category of Saturday morning farmers market shoppers, and I’m not likely to take my family back to the cursing hell hole of downtown SS on a Friday night.
I believe Borders financial x-ray shows a few spots on its lungs. Barnes & Noble is looking to take over, or so I read somewhere. Agree that the store is slipping. The removal of the comfy chairs is not surprising. The Starbucks down on the corner of EW Hgwy and Colesville recently renovated their space . . . out went the comfy chairs. Only the hard-back-keep-the-bums-from-sleeping-here chairs remain. On that score I agree. In the bookstore, I miss the chairs.
Family ate down at DTSS tonight. Of course we weren’t there 5 seconds before we heard our first out loud “Fuck” from some dope. Jesus. Getting real sick of DTSS
I was just downtown and talked to some business people. Apparently, the Fuddrucker’s staff found people shooting up in their restroom last week. Does that sound like teenagers just doing what they do, as some people have defined the situation? And the restaurant people on the Fuddrucker’s block told me of kids throwing objects from atop the parking garage — apparently, the garage is not under police jurisdiction, so it doesn’t get patrolled.
Geez, this blog is simply full of complainers now. Silver Springer, why do you complain so much? Almost every one of your blogs sounds like a rant to your mother about something that slightly offended you. I’m sorry to say that it’s beginning to sound a bit whiny. It’s one thing to point out a problem and suggest solutions, it’s another entirely to point out a problem and just hammer it into the ground without really suggesting something that would get to the root of the problem. That’s why I used to come here–because you compiled Silver Spring development news in one place with (more often than not) responsible reporting. Now it just comes off a bit high school-ish.
To everyone else: A) You can’t control what people say unless they’re on your property, it’s against the law to do so. B) It’s the economy, stupid.
Why doesn’t anyone try the coffee shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors and bars outside the Downtown Silver Spring project? You might find a lot less teenagers there, and a lot more families.
We DO go to places off Ellsworth. But from our house, unless you want to go WAY out of your way,going through there is part of the route. Plus, if I want to go to places CLOSE to home (and believe me, the Ellsworth strip is much more convenient on a cold/hot/rainy/snowy night than Jackie’s or the Caribou on EW Highway. Again — why do those of us who behave (and pay taxes for police protection) have to “go elsewhere.” Why not the thugs?
I totally agree Brent, we shouldn’t have to stop enjoying Mcginty’s, Border’s etc because thugs have taken over. MoCo really needs to get their act together before the situation gets totally out of control. On one of the other blogs they reported that only two cops (down from 4) patrol the downtown area, that should be shocking to everyone. I know there are budget cuts across the board, but public safety should not suffer. Even that four number sounds low. I don’t do drugs and I’m not hanging around Silver Spring to mug people, so I would welcome the area having a massive police presence. That will make the area (and the perception of the area) safer.
I went to Bethesda Row a few nights back and it’s pretty nice. But as a 30-something, it’s a bit stuffy and boring. It’s not for the everyday crowd. DTSS attracts all ages and demographics. Thats a nice mix to have. You have a huge green “lawn” and a huge movie theater. Those two alone will attract teens like a magnet. I don’t think they could afford much else besides Chic-Fil-A. Perhaps if DTSS became a bit more stuffy, there would be no teens. Also, it’s a shame that there is a need for so many police on the weekends. It’s a row of restaurants and a book store for goodness sakes. I enjoyed going to the movies as well in DTSS, but I’ve begun to schedule my outings during the early afternoons on Sundays. I currently live in Adelphi closer to University Town Center. I’m crossing my fingers to see how that turns out. Perhaps the Mall at Prince Georges can attract enough of the silliness while more mature patrons can enjoy the town center.
To Anonymous: It’s the economy, stupid, but it’s also the culture, stupid. It’s poor parenting, often with an absent father, stupid. It’s pop music that spews out obscene language every other lyric, stupid. In the end, it’s macro and micro, and we here in Silver Spring deal with the micro end of things.
It’s more cops and not tolerating certain behaviors, including nonstop cursing, in our community, stupid, while the nation as a whole deals with the economy and race relations and justice and fairness, stupid.
Well…that’s pretty much what blogs are for, whatever I find interesting and want to post at the time. Sometimes I’ll write up something “formal” and sometimes I’ll bitch. Right now I’m bitchin at the moment I guess.
I’ve heard from a friend who works at Borders that the company is indeed in bad financial shape, and it’s possible it may go belly-up and either be bought out by another company or just shutter its stores completely. The reshuffling of the store’s stock is probably indicative of a desire to make a quick buck and boost the income.
As for the comfy chairs: I’ve been told that many bookstores are getting rid of their big comfy chairs because of people going in there and parking their carcasses for hours at a time without buying a thing, or trying to sleep in there.
That’s surprising that Borders may go under, I hadn’t heard about that. While I admit that the one in downtown Silver Spring isn’t the greatest, I buy books there now and then. I love having a book store downtown, I hope that if it does go under something else replaces it ie Barnes & Noble.
Politics & Prose for me, thank you very much. You guys should explore independent bookstores.
I like that Borders is down there and all, but only very rarely would I buy a new book from a store. I pretty much buy everything through Amazon, where you pay no tax, can read hundreds of reviews, get recommendations and usually get a discount of 34% or so. Plus I have Amazon Prime so I get free 2nd day air shipping on everything. Bookstores are good for browsing, but economics rule on this one.
Used bookstores I will buy from on occasion.
Hey IHY (nah, I think you secretly love ‘em and want to be one), P&P is a great bookstore, and personally when I have the time I love to wander through that glorious mess called Silver Spring Books on Bonifant (or is it Thayer — I can never remember).
Still, there’s that convenience factor, I though I and others would love to walk to P&P, Borders is centrally located, and it does have many nice things to offer. The trick is to avoid paying full cost by using their emailed coupons.
“Politics & Prose for me, thank you very much. You guys should explore independent bookstores.”
IHY, great suggestion, except that it’s not in Silver Spring. I know a great Irish pub, but it’s Murphy’s in Alexandria, therefore not very relevant. You also tend to pay far more money at those independent bookstores simply because they’re independent.
ILY: “IHY, great suggestion, except that it’s not in Silver Spring. I know a great Irish pub, but it’s Murphy’s in Alexandria, therefore not very relevant. You also tend to pay far more money at those independent bookstores simply because they’re independent.”
What the fuck kind of reply is that? I was offering a suggestion for people if they aren’t happy with Borders. P&P is like a 10 minute drive to Connecticut Ave. in NWDC. Silver Springer wasn’t looking for alternatives inside of Silver Spring.
btw…Prices at Politics and Prose are comparable to Borders and Barnes & Noble. Hate to burst your “Big Corporations Give Me a Boner” dream.
Next time, think before you post and stop being a stalker bitch on these message boards every time you see my messages.
“That’s why I used to come here–because you compiled Silver Spring development news in one place with (more often than not) responsible reporting. Now it just comes off a bit high school-ish.”
Hey IHY aka King Whiner: Above is a direct quote from Silver Springer, looks like he/she was.
“P&P is like a 10 minute drive to Connecticut Ave. in NWDC”
10 minute walk to downtown Silver Spring Borderes and a 10 min drive (does that include parking , nah it doesn’t, make it 20-30 min. Traffic? 40). Still not relevant, my points made.
As for your blathering about prices, I haven’t compared, however with the coupons from Borders and Barns & Noble etc, I’d say the corporation wins again.
Finally, why do you swear so much, didn’t your parents teach you better?
“That’s why I used to come here–because you compiled Silver Spring development news in one place with (more often than not) responsible reporting. Now it just comes off a bit high school-ish.”
Hey IHY aka King Whiner: Above is a direct quote from Silver Springer, looks like he/she was.
“P&P is like a 10 minute drive to Connecticut Ave. in NWDC”
10 minute walk to downtown Silver Spring Borders and a 10 min drive (does that include parking , nah it doesn’t, make it 20-30 min. Traffic? 40). Still not relevant, my points made.
As for your blathering about prices, I haven’t compared, however with the coupons from Borders and Barns & Noble etc, I’d say the corporation wins again.
Finally, why do you swear so much, didn’t your parents teach you better?
Hit submit twice by accident, sorry.
ILY:
So you admit that haven’t compared prices between a local bookstore and the big chain outfits. Furthermore, you have no clue how long it takes to travel to NWDC. There’s free parking behind Politics and Prose. And it doesn’t take 40 minutes to get there from Silver Spring.
Seriously, you need to get out of the house more often. Stop being such a dick with these obnoxious posts.
–IHateYuppies–
Language language young man! You really do have a great deal of hate built up don’t you IHY. I do hope that this economy turns around, then perhaps you may be able to go for a massage now and then to ease your tension.
From the “directions” page of the Politics and Prose website:
“Metro: Take the Red Line to Van Ness. We are one mile north on Connecticut (a 15 minute walk).”
Now since I’m intelligent I went on the metro’s website and looked up how long it takes to go from Silver Spring station to Van Ness (during rush hour today). If one were to leave at 430pm they would arrive at 4:57. If you walk the 15 minutes that it requires to reach the bookstore, how much time is that IHY. I know it’s math, but it’s not THAT hard is it? DING DING DING if you said 42 minutes (which is over 40) you would be correct!!!
Not everybody has access to cars, this is an URBAN environment. Seems as though you like suburbs where driving is the norm, perhaps you should move there.
IHY, I love P&P, but c’mon, it’s not ten minutes. I used to live right by P&P, and I drive by that neighborhood often going to see old acquaintances. With normal traffic (which in these parts is usually bad), it’s easily 20 minutes, and while that’s not the end of the world, the great thing about a walkable downtown is [drumroll] it’s walkable.
My son started working at Borders a month or so ago. He likes it, a lot. But the manager did tell him when he started that the biggest problem they have is people sitting there for hours and hours, reading and never buying. May explain the chair thing.
OTOH, it didn’t surprise me at all. We have entirely too many people in this area with a sense of entitlement, that what THEY want is what EVERYONE should be forced to have, or just “I’m gonna milk this as long as I can” attitudes.
Interesting:
(From http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200107/allen)
Although there is some reality in the image of the chains as predators (ours is a capitalist economy, after all), it is not the whole truth or even, perhaps, the most important part. The emotional drive behind the anti-chain crusade is an understandable mistrust of big corporations allied with the knee-jerk snobbery that is never far from the surface in American cultural life. “I am a reader,” the interior litany goes, “therefore I belong to a privileged minority; I patronize exclusive bookstores known only to me and my intellectual peers.” With the chains, which target a wider public and make the process of book buying unthreatening to the relatively less educated, the exclusivity factor disappears.[...]
Wonderful though many of the independents were (and are)…the fact is that most of the good ones were clustered in the big cities, leaving a sad gap in America’s smaller cities and suburbs—the places, in fact, where most of the American population actually lives. Books-A-Million’s 202 stores, for instance, are almost all located in the Southeast. Borders has from the beginning targeted another underserved market, the suburbs, and as a result the quality of life in American suburbia has radically changed over the past decade. This is a point that the urban intelligentsia, which loves to characterize the suburbs as a cultural wasteland, seems to have missed, or at least to have taken no interest in.
Springvale,
But, but ILoveYuppies says it takes 42 minutes to get to Politics & Prose. Nevermind that he has never taken the trip before.
I live off East-West Hwy. If I time the lights right on E-W and Connecticut Ave, I get there pretty quickly. It’s not a 42 minute trip to P&P as numbnuts noted above.
If you are happy with the shit selection at Borders in Silver Spring…hey, it’s a free choice economy right? Sometimes a little travel for quality is worth it. After all, Springvale Reader, I would bet a fair amount of money that you take excursions outside of Silver Spring for some fine dining with the Misses.
IHY, I find that between Borders, Silver Spring Books, and Amazon/Ebay, I can get most any book I want. I will go to P&P if there is a speaker I want to see, though. And you’re right, the missus and I go to Bethesda a lot for meals, but that’s usually in conjunction with movie & dinner dates. As we all know, if the AFI isn’t showing a film you want to see and you’re in the mood for a movie, then you need to leave Silver Spring (I’d rather bang my head against a wall for two hours than give money to the Majestic).
You know what’s missing in this whole conversation about books? The library. That’s the best place of all to get books.
Gentlemen, I take no position in the P&P vs. Borders debate. I’m just popping in to point out that IHY is indeed correct, it is only 10 minutes to P&P, but only when you take the magic cut-through route, where you’re cutting across Rock Creek Park. If you frequent that end of town much (P&P, Avalon, whatever) you should never bother with E-W Highway and Conn. Check this out on a map: Portal Dr. to Beach Dr. to Wise Rd to Oregon Ave. to Nebraska. It’s mere minutes compared to the slog down Connecticut.
I like Borders because - while it is a big chain - it is downtown and I like supporting my local businesses. If P & P were nearby, I’d go there too. If Borders, goes, I wonder what will take it’s place…
I was very bummed when the chairs disappeared, although I now understand why.
LOL @ 10 minutes from p&p to ellsworth drive.
Wow I attend UDC and live in downtown silver spring and just to get from UDC to Nebraska avenue takes 10 minutes. This guy must be driving 100mph in a monster truck through red lights and up and over cars waiting in the usual traffic!
Borders needs to bring back those damn chairs me and my friend were HARASSED by the Borders staff for sitting on the floor but we had no choice, there was no furniture. Is it a crime to want to preview a book before you buy it?
Those books up in there are not cheap! I need a preview of Superhead lol.