If you haven’t noticed the ‘for lease’ sign on the Borders at 330 South La Cienega Boulevard, just south of West 3rd, here it is. A B+S reader pointed it out to me; it’s likely I’d walked beneath it a number of times without seeing it. So, what’s the deal? A staffer told me the shop is closing mid-January due to rent increases, and that employees will be transferred to another Borders location if they wish to do so. Clearly, a large space—24,000 square feet with that roomy parking lot—I do wonder what will end up there.
This will be the second area bookstore loss in about nine months, Cook’s Library having shut its doors at the end of April. Of course, there’s still Traveler’s Bookcase, and Barnes & Noble at The Grove, which is usually a madhouse, but wouldn’t it be lovely to have an indie bookshop-slash-coffee-shop? How I long for a place like Printer’s Ink in Palo Alto, where I’d bike to study, get a latte and peruse the shelves…
8 responses so far ↓
1 alex the sea turtle // Nov 9, 2009 at 10:34 am
Increase in rents? That’s crazy.
We noticed this and then were talking about Zipper. I heard that part of there reason for leaving was increased rent. Now the store has sat empty for how long? How long will this location stay empty?
What a waste!
2 The Pocket Lint // Nov 9, 2009 at 6:24 pm
OMG. I am so broken hearted. That is AWFUL. I love having that Borders so close. Ugh. Nightmare.
3 Anonymous // Nov 30, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Yeah, I think the increased rent is bullshit. That bookstore had poor management. I went in there a couple of times and it was the worst Border’s store, I’ve ever been inside. But it can’t all be the manager’s fault. The Border’s corporation is way behind the trend. Sure Barnes and Noble is basically the same thing, but they still create an environment where people want to be.
4 Jim // Dec 2, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Rent increase? Lame excuse. The economics of book stores has changed, and Border’s particuarly has been hit hard. For anyone that follows their financials the company is not doing hot, and recently also decided to close nearly all remaining Waldenbook stores(many still on the East Coast).
At the end of the day its simply the company shrinking and hoping to stay alive.
5 A. Nonymous // Jan 4, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Just went in today. All books, music, and DVD’s are 40% off !!
Other items have larger discounts, all the way up to 70 % (or is it 80%) off.
The store is closing in 12 days (January 16th).
There is signage indicating that there will NOT be further reductions on BOOKS (except “bargain books”) because of limitations set by the publishers. In other words, it’s as good as it’s going to get as far as the books are concerned.
I expect further reduction(s) on CD’s, DVD’s, and DVD box sets.
When you get to the cashier, make sure you pick up a coupon (there’s a stack of them) for one of five other Borders locations, including Hollywood, but unfortunately not West LA.
6 A. Nonymous // Jan 16, 2010 at 2:05 am
The Borders on La Cienega just south of 3rd St is closing its doors forever tonight (Saturday, January 16th, I believe at 10 PM). :(
Try to stop in to say bye to your favorite staffer(s) and because everything in the store is at least 40% off. They have a few CDs left, but lots of DVDs and lots of books. The fixtures are also for sale.
Free parking behind the store.
7 Shuttering Shop News—Borders La Cienega Has Its Last Day // Jan 18, 2010 at 1:31 pm
[...] » Shuttering Shop News—Borders Closing La Cienega Shop [...]
8 Jack // Feb 9, 2010 at 9:45 am
to anonymous you obviously are a biter former employee who probably got let go because of stealing or something considering the fact that you blamed management first.
If you are not a former emplyee you have probably never worked retail in your life considering that those kids got many people who would scream at them for things that were out of their control. Yes the rent was the major issue and considering that the Starbucks that use to be in the Beverly Connection also closed its doors because of rent issues i can only imagine how much the rent was increased to.
If a huge corporation like Starbucks doesnt wanna pay rent then it must have been something insanely huge
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