And more good workers used by Corporate and then discarded...
Well it has been a long ride, 30 years to be exact. I began my career with Barnes and Noble back in 1989. Tonight my beloved 2635 closed its' doors for the last time. It was a bitter sweet day. So many employees past and present came by today to share memories and take one last look at the once flagship store of Texas. I am so proud to have been a part of this team and I have never worked with a better group then my fellow managers at Voss. This is the end of my career with B&N but the beginning of a new adventure and I am so excited to take that first step into my future.
I’d go down to Houston for a few weeks every year growing up and would go to this one with my cousins. I bought my first CD in that store, Scary Stories to Read in the Dark and so much more .
Was the lease increased? I haven’t been to this store in a few years but it felt busy whenever I went even a few years ago, Busier than some of the DFW stores that are still open
Official story was the company did not want to renew the lease.
*
My store closed tonight as well, I’m sorry and I feel you’re pain!
*
Many memories, so many great signings.. I was there too.
*
Well, it's over. Let the record show that I was the first person to punch out on the last day that store 2635 was open for business. We had a small gathering of ex-employees come by with cake to reminisce and to catch-up. It was nice seeing them, but watching that funeral break up was sadder than the cavernous, half-empty store. I greatly fear that just as Bloody Monday 2018 bought the company another year of life, an upcoming Bloody Monday 2019 of asst. managers will only buy the company one more year of life. B&N (I almost wrote "we") can NOT compete selling at retail what Amazon can sell wholesale (or at a loss) and deliver free in 1 or 2 days. It's like the difference between the kind of partners people say they want and the kind of people they actually respond to. B&N is the good listener with a great sense of humor and a shoulder to cry on. Amazon is the good-looking bad boy with a reputation and an attitude that says "Save me". (Ugh, metaphors.) Let it suffice to say, all of the talk about "I Love Bookstores" is not translating into enough sales for B&N.
*
All I can say to everyone who is left with the company is "GET OUT, as soon as you can!"
Everyone in my store knew there would be no severance, no nothing.