Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Good-bye Waldenbooks


We're having sad days here in Lake Charles, LA. After 23 years, we're losing our Waldenbooks. This is where I had my first book signing, sitting right there where the pink All Bargains 50% Off sign is.
The salespeople in Waldenbooks knew their business. They knew their inventory. They didn't scratch and look puzzled when I asked for a title. They actually recognized the title--no matter what it was. I can spot a reader and a book lover. Do you think it was mandatory that anyone who worked for Waldenbooks had to be book lovers?

With Waldenbooks gone, we'll be left with BAM, an over sized gift store that carries books. Nope, not a fan, but I will go there. After all, they're the only 'show' in town now. No town should have only one bookstore.

Especially MY town.

4 comments:

Erica Vetsch said...

We lost our Waldenbooks here in Rochester about 8 years ago. Since then two Barnes and Noble bookstores have opened up and appear to be going strong. I sure hope so. I love wandering up and down the aisles dreaming dreams and picking out new titles to read.

Laurie Kolp said...

I remember Waldenbooks in the mall here- I used to love it and was so sad when it closed. I know how you feel.

Mindy Blanchard said...

The day any bookstore closes is a sad, sad day indeed. I love bookstores, the way the smell, seeing the books in stacks and rows, such a beautiful sight.

Sorry, my LC friends. I'm sad that you're losing such a gem.

Mindy

Deleted due to hackers... said...

I with you, girl... We lost Walden a few years ago. We have a very small locally owned Christian book store, but that is it; unless you count WalMart. We have no book store for 20 miles. So sad...