What's Wrong With Borders?

As promised, I'm back before heading to New York, and I've had a disturbing event on my mind for the past couple of days that I have to get out (and no, it's not the rushed closing of August: Osage County, which while it was initially disappointing, it turns out it was to make way for Superior Donuts, so it all works out for the best). Remember last week I said I wanted to get the recording of Chess in Concert? Well, on Thursday I got an email coupon from Borders for 40% off one item. I figured since I was going to Naperville on Sunday to meet my family for dinner to celebrate Father's Day near the Fox Valley Mall, I could stop at the Naperville Borders and pick up the CD. On Friday I checked Border's website and it said that the complete 2 disc CD was "likely in store" (there's a 1 disc highlights version but since you can never get enough Idina, unless she's doing her own music, I want the whole thing). This Borders in particular holds a very special place in my heart as it was the first Borders to appear in the suburban area while I was in high school and the very first place I ever saw a "Gay & Lesbian Fiction" section. Granted, I couldn't keep myself in that section for more than about 10 seconds at a time out of fear that someone might see me, but it was still a huge turning point for me. Plus, over the years, I've bought so many cast recordings there, although after the Geneva Borders was built, my trips to Naperville have greatly decreased as the Geneva store is much more closer to my parents'. So, I left a little early on Sunday afternoon and headed to Naperville. The first problem occured about 15 minutes later as I reached Lakeshore and Jackson only to find that Jackson was blocked off for the Puerto Rican Pride parade and I had to go down to 55, take that to 83, and get off there to 75th street and take that all the way out. 55 was absolutely horrible for now discernable reason, so I ended up not getting to Borders until about 20 minutes before our dinner reservation. I figured I'd be in and out quickly, and ran in and headed towards where the music and movies section has been for the past 15 years and was confused when there were simply more bookshelves in that area and no music or movies. I figured they moved it and walked around the store, but could not find any music or movie section, only a few endcaps with clearance CD's. I went to the information center and checked on the computer and sure enough, it said the full Chess 2 Disc set was still "Likely In Store." As I turned to walk away, since there was no one there to ask, I saw that there were some Best Selling CD displays by the checkout line and went to check those out. One one of the displays was the highlights CD (their #2 best seller, surprise surprise!), but the 2 disc set was not there. I did a quick walk around again in case they had created a basement section and I had overlooked a staircase, but no such luck, it was still all on one floor. I went back to the information section and there was finally someone there, so I asked him and he said they're phasing out their music and movies, but to be sure, he checked their staff-only inventory list and said that even though the website was saying that the CD was in store, it looked like they actually didn't have it, but he could call some other stores. Well, at this time it was almost time for our dinner reservation, so I just left. I'm not so disappointed at not getting the CD, I can go to Barnes & Noble and get it since they still see the value in having a showtune section, but it's really sad to see Borders going so far downhill. When you walk into just about any Borders anymore, there's much more empty space than there is merchandise for sale, although some stores are able to hide it better than others. I understand they're having cash flow problems, but getting rid of music and movies is not going to draw in more customers, it's likely to actually have the opposite effect since people don't really read anymore, do they think people are going to come in for books? They need to figure out what brought them success in the first place and get back to basics. Showtunes and opera need to return.

On a happier note, one week from right now I'll be trekking about Central Park and the upper West Side, about time to head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner before heading to Blithe Spirit. I've been checking the extended forecast and Thursday looks great both here and in New York, so the airlines have no excuse for not getting us there as scheduled. Friday though is a little more problematic. I just downloaded an audio tour of public art and monuments in the downtown area, starting in Battery Park and ending at South Street Seaport, which I will put on my phone for Friday, but the forecast for Friday is rain in the morning and early afternoon before clearing out for a very nice rest of the weekend, meaning it could be an unpleasant, heading-to-Blau-Gans experience all over again. Fortunately, because of the holiday weekend, many shows are doing Friday matinees, so if I wake up and the weather's crappy, I plan on heading to TKTS and seeing if I can get a ticket for Little Mermaid. My companion will be working and has no desire to see it, so I can get it taken care of without having to deal with him. No matter what happens, there'll be a Starbucks stop across the street from the Crowne Plaza around 10:30 (hint, hint Gossip Guys).

Sunday is Spelling Bee at the Marriott. They're putting in an intermission, so I'm hopeful that means they'll restore "We Love Spelling," which is actually my favorite song on the CD. It looks like the weather will actually be very nice on Sunday, making it a little disappointing that I won't be going to the parade, but I've really outgrown that, it's no longer fun to get way too drunk standing around in a huge crowd outside where I always get sunburned. A fun show in an air conditioned theatre with a glass of wine at intermission followed by a good dinner nearby is much more my speed. I'll let you know how it turns out. See you in a week boys!