tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post7948100703736198700..comments2024-03-28T02:15:06.910-07:00Comments on Tossing It Out: Ch-ch-ch-changes!Arlee Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-11119561256459347802014-08-16T08:04:10.902-07:002014-08-16T08:04:10.902-07:00Suzanne -- I think this is happening to many small...Suzanne -- I think this is happening to many small American towns as well as a number of certain urban areas.<br /><br />GB-- I don't think we ever had any musicians playing at our local Borders. They did have a few book signings though.<br /><br />Damyanti-- I'm rarely tempted to buy anything these days. My wife certainly makes up for what I'm not buying.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-53848125042010892302014-08-16T07:17:57.356-07:002014-08-16T07:17:57.356-07:00In Singapore, very few neighborhoods remain the sa...In Singapore, very few neighborhoods remain the same for very long. The one store that's going to open in my neighborhood is a fancy Japanese stationery store-- and I'm very afraid. My wallet's going to be a lot lighter, and my cupboards brimming with not-so-useful-but-very-pretty-stuff.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04283371140346602856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-39299654319078470862014-08-15T03:32:35.956-07:002014-08-15T03:32:35.956-07:00I haven't shopped in too many Goodwills simply...I haven't shopped in too many Goodwills simply because there isn't any close by. <br /><br />Borders I was disappointed when it closed because it did have a good selection of stuff to buy and it was great to stop by and listen to local musicians play.<br /><br />Most of the stores that I've been sad to see close have been of the very local variety. Very tough for a local store to make here in our town.<br /><br /><a href="http://gbmjrflashy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Father Nature's Corner</a>G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-30113676262704934982014-08-15T01:30:57.750-07:002014-08-15T01:30:57.750-07:00Our town has been dying for many years, long befor...Our town has been dying for many years, long before the last 5 years recession. We have more charity (your goodwill I think) shops than anything else. A while back, when a big office company left, they painted across their windows 'Will the last person to leave Bracknell turn out the lights'. Funny and sad. xSuzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15210964582774377295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-60336571374990981792014-08-14T11:58:26.685-07:002014-08-14T11:58:26.685-07:00Kelly--I know there are still indie bookstores in ...Kelly--I know there are still indie bookstores in the L.A. area, but I think they are farther than I care to go to look for books.<br /><br />Jennifer -- My purchases from Goodwill have been few and not for things I really needed.<br /><br />Michele-- There might have been some influence of that merger, but mostly I think they are cutting costs by moving to the internet.<br /><br />Liz -- I would imagine closing sale signs went up shortly after we went on vacation. That would have given them a month to move merchandise. They probably weren't as interested in liquidation as Borders was since Staples will still be in business.<br /><br />Jasmine-- I've been in some near empty malls and it was pretty creepy--and sad.<br /><br />Margo -- I have enough books from the Borders liquidation to keep me busy reading for a long time to come at my present reading rate.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-8932125535815230632014-08-14T07:12:11.442-07:002014-08-14T07:12:11.442-07:00I still miss Borders ... but I also stocked up on ...I still miss Borders ... but I also stocked up on books when they held their sale at the end.Margo Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474612650116392270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-83045599318169220652014-08-14T00:26:15.984-07:002014-08-14T00:26:15.984-07:00We have a whole mall that's empty near our Pal...We have a whole mall that's empty near our Palm Springs place and my husband really misses the Ross that was there. I do actually shop at Goodwill sometimes & I also donate there on a regular basis. I am pretty excited to find that I now live 30 minutes from the Goodwill corporate headquarters. You never know when you need an extra $10 TV for your nephew to play his games on! 'Yellow Rose' Jasminehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12496382898548158316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-5106096714284051802014-08-13T23:53:34.146-07:002014-08-13T23:53:34.146-07:00The most convenient Staples to me also closed rece...The most convenient Staples to me also closed recently (end of last year), but they had signs announcing this way before hand. The old Borders location has now turned into a satellite hospital site. Now, that's a way to make use of that space!Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-75132581919307980102014-08-13T19:26:17.571-07:002014-08-13T19:26:17.571-07:00I too was very sad to see Borders go. The one by m...I too was very sad to see Borders go. The one by me used to have live music in the cafe, which was a real treat. I wonder if Staples closing has anything to do with Office Max and Office Depot merging?? You'll have to keep us posted: will be interesting to see what goes in with those already strong anchors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-84940783334698265042014-08-13T16:21:49.206-07:002014-08-13T16:21:49.206-07:00I used to love Goodwill. I refuse to shop there n...I used to love Goodwill. I refuse to shop there now.Jennifer Ruth Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04699005759754946494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-32287271795504525332014-08-13T16:08:19.700-07:002014-08-13T16:08:19.700-07:00I was sad to see our neighborhood independent book...I was sad to see our neighborhood independent bookstore close. Nothing left but big chains and Amazon, now. There's nothing like browsing for books in a shop where the owner knows and loves books. Kelly Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01752857506190488860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-36825998792898083992014-08-13T12:35:15.785-07:002014-08-13T12:35:15.785-07:00CW-- Cheap winter clothes isn't something with...CW-- Cheap winter clothes isn't something with a big demand around here.<br /><br />Carrie-Anne-- A Michael's Arts and Crafts might be a good chain to see enter the Staples space. I do like strolling through those stores, but there is one about five miles from us already.<br /><br />Lady-- I would have thought that Staples would have hung in there at least until after the back-to-school sales. My wife bought a lot of supplies there for here class.<br /><br />L.Diane -- Petsmart does have an extensive inventory of pet stuff. And you can watch them give the dogs haircuts in the front window.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-53497819930409171282014-08-13T12:14:06.200-07:002014-08-13T12:14:06.200-07:00I love going in my local Staples and would miss it...I love going in my local Staples and would miss it. They recently cut back their hours, so I hope that's not a sign. I go through a lot of ink and paper.<br /><br />I wish we had a Petsmart. That might be dangerous though, as I'd be bringing home a new toy for my cats every week.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-46620689951108150242014-08-13T12:06:24.741-07:002014-08-13T12:06:24.741-07:00I am grateful the one near me is still open. I lov...I am grateful the one near me is still open. I love that place. They have great things for the kids. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10304701332216772385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-18554710475328353572014-08-13T11:13:24.899-07:002014-08-13T11:13:24.899-07:00I went to the Salvation Army a few times when I wa...I went to the Salvation Army a few times when I was in Amherst, though I haven't been to Goodwill in recent memory.<br /><br />We have an upscale shopping plaza in Albany, and I've seen a number of great stores come and go over the years. Most recently, we lost Coldwater Creek, and a few years before, Alfred's Fabrics left the plaza for a new location in nearby Colonie. We also had Cowan and Lobell's (a fancy food store), an art store, a bakery, Woolworth's, and a bunch of other stores.Carrie-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05810154378449825641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-48328378015304187072014-08-13T11:07:42.679-07:002014-08-13T11:07:42.679-07:00If your Staples space is anything like retail arou...If your Staples space is anything like retail around here, it'll probably just get used a couple of months in a year for fireworks and cheap winter clothes. Hopefully you end up better than that.CWMartinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06798867734074134647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-5894152677673515542014-08-13T10:20:35.780-07:002014-08-13T10:20:35.780-07:00Birgit-- I'm just not a fan of cleaning up and...Birgit-- I'm just not a fan of cleaning up and tending to animals. I know my wife isn't interested either so we're good with our circumstance. Besides I don't want to have to deal with pets when we're doing our travels.<br /><br />Susan GK-- I'd be okay with a Books-a-Million in the Staples place. At least it's a place where I can browse through merchandise that I like to look at.<br /><br />Sheena-kay-- We had an indoor swap meet about a mile from our house and it closed down this year much to my surprise. The place had been there for years and seemed to be frequented by many customers. That big space now is available too.<br /><br />Robin-- Small business is the heart and soul of local economies. This is the greatest source of job creation and movement of local funds. Sadly you're right about the internet business and I think this will hurt in the long run.<br /><br />Andrew -- I certainly don't use office supplies like I used to. I did like to have the nearby Staples for my computer and home office needs.<br /><br />Larry -- We'll probably start duplicating songs soon. It's getting more difficult to keep track of. Your mention of the empty shopping centers makes me think of the factory outlet mall that I believe is along the interstate in Casa Grande. There are like 2 stores still open in a center that doesn't look that old. It's kind of depressing.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-40018440088564481032014-08-13T09:56:14.695-07:002014-08-13T09:56:14.695-07:00"Boys against the Girls"
I have my next...<i>"Boys against the Girls"</i><br /><br />I have my next two BOTB's scheduled, and one of them could fall under that banner...in fact, I'd thought you'd posted the song already but when I reviewed your history didn't see it (you may have mentioned one of the bands in a non-BOTB post....or I may simply be hallucinating).<br /><br />At least your retail spaces are filling-out here in Phoenix there are a lot of empty retail structures, from stores to entire strip malls...and once that starts it's a downward spiral (no one wants to be the only tenant in a shopping center).<br /><br />Sadly, I guess bookstores and record stores are going by the wayside...browsing seems to be a thing of the past.<br /><br />DiscConnectedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013919800637508392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-42837330320007398812014-08-13T09:56:05.996-07:002014-08-13T09:56:05.996-07:00"Boys against the Girls"
I have my next...<i>"Boys against the Girls"</i><br /><br />I have my next two BOTB's scheduled, and one of them could fall under that banner...in fact, I'd thought you'd posted the song already but when I reviewed your history didn't see it (you may have mentioned one of the bands in a non-BOTB post....or I may simply be hallucinating).<br /><br />At least your retail spaces are filling-out here in Phoenix there are a lot of empty retail structures, from stores to entire strip malls...and once that starts it's a downward spiral (no one wants to be the only tenant in a shopping center).<br /><br />Sadly, I guess bookstores and record stores are going by the wayside...browsing seems to be a thing of the past.<br /><br />DiscConnectedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07013919800637508392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-47890732155171837392014-08-13T09:22:01.058-07:002014-08-13T09:22:01.058-07:00There are a lot of changes going on in the retail ...There are a lot of changes going on in the retail environment, right now. People just don't need office supplies the way they used to because so much can be done online.<br /><br />Of course, you don't see them whining and complaining and suggesting that we charge people for sending emails so that they will go buy actual, physical paper instead.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-76028448545068093972014-08-13T08:38:43.926-07:002014-08-13T08:38:43.926-07:00I see small spaces closing in shopping centers so ...I see small spaces closing in shopping centers so often that it is more than disconcerting. I often think, "Will a day come when small business becomes obsolete?" Or maybe all business???? Will we eventually be forced to buy everything we want off of the Internet (because it is cheaper for the vendor than maintaining an actual retail location? And I think the answer might be, "Yes." Look at how many changes have happened in the last 100 years. There was a time when chain stores didn't exist. Everything was Mom & Pop. Now... it is hard to keep a small business open. It makes me sad.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14932408372240147454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-69597350255233424332014-08-13T08:32:24.772-07:002014-08-13T08:32:24.772-07:00Recently some idiot burning something out in the o...Recently some idiot burning something out in the open caused the pharmacy just ten minutes walking distance from my home to catch fire. While only the inside was damaged the store is closed until further notice. I'm so mad because like you said walking distance is so convenient and since I don't drive, even more so. Also with the heat wave we're having no one was supposed to be doing open fires in the first place to cause flying embers or whatever to fly into the pharmacy to set it on fire in the first place. I mean we're not even allowed to water our lawns in Jamaica right now.<br /><br />Anyway sorry about my ramble. Changes happen everyday whether huge or small. Sorry about the stores closing down but hopefully this time there will be a new one that you find useful. Yes larger spaces take a while to fill. Maybe they can make some kind of bargain mart and invite multiple smaller stores/businesses to come in and take up shop. That's what Mega Mart did and while my mom goes there for shopping I go to get my packages from my U.S. P.O. Box at the Mail Pac stall. Oh and I hope your next Battle of the Bands post is even more popular than the last. If I can come vote I'll be there.Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-46738095029606168482014-08-13T07:20:59.577-07:002014-08-13T07:20:59.577-07:00I'm not surprised to see office supply stores ...I'm not surprised to see office supply stores close. We have quite a few in our area and I enjoy looking around in them but so much business is now done online that people don't need their products. And with a Walmart nearby, lots of stuff is cheaper there. A Books a Million moved into our empty Borders store but it's not nearly as nice a book seller.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-57111978241382156242014-08-13T07:18:21.046-07:002014-08-13T07:18:21.046-07:00It is a shame that these stores are closing. The m...It is a shame that these stores are closing. The more people buy off the internet the more these stores will go which is a shame. It hurts the economy and I still believe in actually seeing and touching what I want to buy because I want quality. It hurts when a bookstores goes under even if it is expensive. I will always buy books. Hopefully you will not get a goodwill across the street....just saying. They are needed and I have gone to them myself but not the best to have them close to home. Can't wait for the battle of the bands. No animal??? I have one dog and 4 cats. My husband is the cat lover. I don't understand why you don't want to clean kitty litter, have hair everywhere, even up your nose, vacuum every day...:) Each to their own but I love animals so one has to love animals in their home to deal with this and still rapture in their kissesBirgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-18934486638230854602014-08-13T07:04:52.078-07:002014-08-13T07:04:52.078-07:00Sarah--According to an article I've linked to,...Sarah--According to an article I've linked to, Staples is turning more to online sales and closing lower performing stores. This is happening with businesses all over and I think it could turn out to be bad for the overall economy though save money for the companies that are doing this.<br /><br />Murees -- I used to like to just browse Staples to see what they had and get ideas.<br /><br />Alex-- Definitely don't need a pet to clean up after. Another clothing store might be overkill. We have too many in our shopping center already.<br /><br />Yvonne-- Yes, things keep changing, sometimes for the better, sometimes not, but I don't guess there's much of a way any of us can control most change.<br /><br />JoJo-- I heard about Radio Shack closing stores. It's understandable, but it will leave a void for the types of products they sell.<br /><br />Lee<br />Arlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.com