I am late to blogging this, but it needs to be done. Our bookstore on Merrimack Street (a Barnes and Noble) has shut down. Their contract with UMass was not renewed.
What comes next? I have a couple of phone calls into the University.
In the mean time, I am concerned about what this means for our City's downtown. Henry's calls to City Life in the morning show that he too is concerned—notwithstanding his being unwilling to give George Anthes, Esq, credit for going to Mass at the Immaculate. Someone else suggested to me a couple of businesses are just hanging on through the Folk Festival. I sure hope that is not the case.
There is variety in Downtown Lowell. But, no Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma. Alas.
Regards — Cliff
5 comments:
My understanding was a non-branded University bookstore is on target to occupy the space, and that all that is being lost is the Barnes & Noble connection.
Personally, I don't mind the absence of chain brands downtown--I think the local alternatives are superior, and far more suited to the spirit of the city. You might consider the recent opening of Babylon, Wings Over Lowell moving into the Dharma Buns space, and Persona as a new retail presence on Market Street, as three easy examples of the vitality of the neighborhood. The Back Page is busy with live entertainment almost every night of the week, and the new plan for street buskers during the summer is extremely encouraging.
I'd say, given the challenge of our present economic times, downtown Lowell is taking all the punches and still moving forward in a very positive direction.
The book biz has its own problems. Not sure we can link B&N's demise to trouble on Merrimack Street.
Jack has a good point. And the ease of ordering for a Kindle (or a Nook) is so easy and so quick. Just today I saw where someone I have known wrote a book (and beat me to print) on the National War College, and I had to have it. $70 in print, but just under $50 on the Kindle. Impulse buy. Don't tell my wife.
I think Kad is right about another entity taking over, and they were supposed to have filled that void by 5 July, but haven't. Info courtesy of UMass Lowell.
Farewell Barnes and Noble.
Kad, you are the man on the spot and so I am going to hope your assessment is correct.
Regards — Cliff
Just walked by on the way back from the concert--signs in the windows say "soon".
I hope so...
Do you think it needs to have a place to sit and drink a cup of coffee?
Regards — Cliff
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