Traditional Book Lovers Disappointed By Borders' Expected Closure

One employee and a few customers said Tuesday they were disappointed to hear that the chain book store, Borders, planned to soon close all of its nearly 400 remaining stores, including the Riverdale location.

The Borders Group announced Monday it will close its remaining 399 stores and will be laying off 11,000 employees. About 200 employees were laid off in February, when the store filed for bankruptcy.

Borders Cafe employee Kathleen Meisch, 24, of Butler, said she is disappointed about the closing, because working at the store was "easy money" and she generally enjoyed her job.

Meisch, who worked at the store for two years before leaving for a full-time job and then returned just three weeks ago, also said she is sad to see the store close because of what it could mean for the future of books.

"I'm not into the whole Kindle/Nook craze," she said. "I'd much rather hold a book and embrace the story than read it on a tablet. The bookstore era is slowly dying and that pains me for future generations."

For some customers, losing a local spot to study and purchase and read books is disappointing.

"I am disappointed that Borders is closing because it was a convenient location, filled with resources and quiet areas conducive to studying, while I was completing my master's degree," said Marielle Benanti, 25, of Kinnelon. Benanti said she visited Borders a couple of times a week.

Charlene Kivlon, 25, of Kinnelon, said she simply will miss the opportunity to shop there.

"I'm sad that Borders is closing because it was a great place to buy books," she said.

While a store manager declined to comment on the closing, she said she was unsure when the Riverdale store would be officially shutting its doors. There were no signs noting the closure or liquidation sales posted on the exterior of the store on Tuesday afternoon.