The closing of Borders reminded me of how the arrival of the mega bookstores (Borders and Barnes Noble) killed my favorite local haunt, Little Professor Book Center.
Little Professor was a small chain of independently owned and operated stores. Bob, the owner and his wife, transformed a strip mall shop into a tranquil haven for book lovers.
They brewed their own coffee and it was self-serve, you could even bring your own mug. They had wing chairs and nooks tucked away throughout the store.
It was a treat to hang out there for an hour or two; without kids or husband. It was my retreat from all the responsibilities that waited for me at home.
The owners knew each of the regulars patrons by name, and they came to know our individual tastes. If a new book by a favorite author arrived, someone
They were not just booksellers, they were book lovers and so were each of their six employees. I was introduced to many new writers and genres of books.
After six years of success, Borders and Barnes and Noble came to town and Little Professor stumbled. There were plenty of loyal customers who appreciated Bob's efforts, but it's hard to compete with bigger and cheaper.
In 1996, The Little Professor closed it's doors, and only it's loyal fans noticed.
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