Mt. Kisco Borders Books Begins Its Final Chapter

The Borders Bookstore in Mount Kisco was far too lively to be mistaken for a wake Tuesday.

But it was hard not to get that feeling as streams of people offered their condolences to the store's staff as they made their way to the cash registers.

“It’s sad,” said Kevin Dorsey, a Carmel resident who works in Pleasantville. “Since this is one of the busier stores, I hope that someone else will come in and take it over.”

On Monday, the chain announced that Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon Brothers Group is purchasing its assets for liquidation process. The Wall Street Journal reported that the company tried to find buyers after it filed for bankruptcy protection in February, but had no success.

Borders operates nearly 400 stores, including the one in Mount Kisco, and employs nearly 11,000 people.  Liquidation is expected to begin for some stores and facilities at the end of the week pending the results of a court hearing on Friday.

 It is not clear exactly when the Mount Kisco store will close.

“It’s horrible,” said Tom Rucco, another Carmel resident who works in Pleasantville. “I’ll miss it. I just like to browse around. It’s just a place where you can just browse around and read. I don’t know where I’ll go now. Probably White Plains.”

Kathie Bannon, the manager of the Borders in Mount Kisco, said she has worked at the store for 10 years. She described the mood Tuesday as somber.

“This has been going on for a while and our customers have been with us the last six months,” Bannon said. “Everyone here has been supportive and we had to give a lot of hugs. This is their community bookstore and they loved it.”

Bannon said the one thing she will miss is the unpacking of new book shipments that came to the store.

“I will miss the excitement of opening hundreds of books,” Bannon. “It’s like receiving a new present everyday.”

Patty Newburger, a Mount Kisco resident, said she came to the store in order to unload all of her gift cards.

“It’s depressing,” Newburger said. “It’s the end of the world. We’re avid readers and it was a good place to come after looking around and eating ice cream. It’s the only bookstore that is in walking distance from my house.”

Will you miss Borders Books when it closes? Where will you get your books?

 

 

 

 

 

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