Borders on Southside

[KenFSU]

With the Barnes N' Noble on Southside & Atlantic closing a few months back, I just thought I'd make a post to point out how nice the Borders on Southside and Baymeadows is these days.  Six months back, the place seemed on the edge of death. It was run down, no music in the cafe, never anyone in there. It was depressing. They've given it a really nice face lift though. Amazing what some reorganizing and a fresh coat of paint can do. Plus, they added free WiFi, which seems to have been the kicker. In the last few months, the place has gone from depressing, cold, and empty to vibrant and packed. Really nice to see with so many places going under these days. If you haven't been to Borders in a while, I suggest you stop in sometime.

[sandyshoes]

Wow, that is a change, then.  I was in there in May and they were actually getting rid of most of their music.  You could find some great offbeat stuff in there, as you may know, at one time...I asked why they were cutting back so drastically on the music for sale and was told that 'nobody purchases entire cds or albums anymore, everybody downloads'.  (Not everybody, thank you very much).  Vinyl is supposedly coming back - Mofro just did their latest album (yeppir, I said album) on vinyl.  Did you see much music in there or have they just strictly gone bookstore/coffeeshop? I was hoping maybe they came to their senses. 

[copperfiend]

I haven't been in a few years but I have gotten some pretty good hard to find CDs there. I read that Mike Huckabee will be doing a book signing there.

[David]

My friend and fellow MJ poster StephElf used to work at this location while she went to school at UNF. This was around 2000, 2001 though. I honestly haven't thought to go back to it much since then, but during those days it was always busy, people were always there on their laptops doing homework (::old man voice:: that was before they invented wifi and myspace I believe, get off my lawn!) and I used to buy some of the hardest to find music there.

It's good to hear it's on the rebound.

[KenFSU]

Did you see much music in there or have they just strictly gone bookstore/coffeeshop? I was hoping maybe they came to their senses. 

Yeah, the music section used to be awesome. I found a couple of old Descendents albums here a few years ago that I hadn't seen anywhere else. Not much left in the way of music now though, unfortunately. You probably won't have that much luck at Borders with that Mofro LP, but, if you're in the market for some Taylor Swifte or Katy Perry, you'll be in HEAVEN.

Mike Huckabee is coming 11/16 to sign his new book.

Also worth noting that they changed their cafe about about a year ago to Seattle's Best. It's pretty good. I'm actually at Borders right now enjoying the sleigh bell blend.

[JeffreyS]

Oh thank goodness when I saw the thread I was sure it was going to be closing. That is where I like to get my Repairman Jack books.

[sandyshoes]

If anyone reading this owns a great used CD/record store, put in some wi-fi and coffee, Bro!  It's what the customers want and we can't get it anymore...we'll flock to your store!

[thekillingwax]

Yeah, I used to buy tons of music there too. They used to have a really cool music staff that did some awesome staff picks, it's still a good bookstore (although I do kinda chuckle when I walk by the manga/twilight tween corner) but their music section should just be phased out, it's about as diverse as walmart.

[mtraininjax]

Does Chamblins either on Roosevelt or Downtown offer WI-FI?

[TREE4309]

Don't think so...there's hardly room to stand, let alone sit, in the Roosevelt Chamblins.  Downtown is a little more open and they have the cafe, so WiFi is probable.