Borders Files For Bankruptcy: Is It My Fault?

The Borders chain of bookstores has seen me through many phases of my life: grad school, heartbreak, and many a lazy afternoon. So how did I repay it? By ordering books, magazines and -- yes -- calendars online. I will even confess to leafing through books and magazines at the Borders Cafe and then leaving the store without a qualm.

Now, Borders has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will close 30 percent of its stores.

After more than four years in a town that lacked a Borders (Columbia, MO) I watched and waited Wednesday, to hear if any of the branches in Metro St. Louis are on the chopping block. It would be a personal blow to lose the Borders in Brentwood, my favorite, or the one at South County Mall. That's where I hang out  and work (or read magazines) while my mother gets her hair done at the JC Penney Salon.

The word came Wednesday afternoon: The South County Mall, Brentwood and Creve Coeur Borders branches are safe. The Ballwin, Chesterfield and .

I suppose it serves me right. Fickle consumer that I am, I've become an Amazon "Prime" customer after spending so much money there over the years. I blush to think of the times I've ordered books as gifts rather than actually going to or a local bookstore.

 is facing financial woes of its own. An independent bookstore on the Delmar Loop, may close its doors in a matter of months. A story on  quotes owner Kelly von Plonski's Facebook post: 

"We have 5 months to turn our sales around or else we're out of business Sept 1." 

Losing Subterranean Books would be a blow for U City and local books lovers in general. It's been in business since 2000, providing a literary hub for neighboring communities, carrying just about every genre imaginable and supporting youth reading programs.

I don't think it takes an Agatha Christie fan to solve the mystery here. In fact, the reasons bookstores are suffering are not that mysterious:

• The economy: People don't have as much money. When they do have a little extra, they want more books for their bucks: That's where Amazon and other online outlets come out ahead.
• E-readers are catching on. Borders and Barnes & Noble are getting in on the game, but will it be enough to balance the books?
• Overhead, costs, salaries and benefits. If Borders and Barnes & Noble can't make the math work, it's hard to see how local and indie bookstores can have happy endings.

I have to buy a birthday present for my nephew this week. So, I am going to a real bricks & mortar store to buy a few books. It's a small thing, and I have no illusions it will turn the page on the bookstore bust. But still ...