The Rear End

Running for the Borders

hitting the “non-local” book shop for some non-local fun

Mike Paulus, illustrated by Beth Czech |

I like being around books. I’m not talking about reading books, though I like that too. I’m talking about being with them. Big shelves of books that are arranged by some sort of sorting system just get me going, I guess. Maybe it makes me feel smart. Maybe it makes me feel like I’m doing something important. Maybe walking around a bunch of books makes me feel like I’m on a mission to research ancient secrets buried in obscure, long-forgotten texts written by mystical prophets (called madmen by their contemporaries) whose dusty sentences may unlock the mysteries surrounding untold magical treasures.

So, yeah, I like the library. And used book stores – even really crappy ones. But my favorite place (and I say this knowing full well what it says about me) is Borders. You heard me – Borders.

I know it’s a chain and I know it takes some gasoline to get out there, but I like it. Now, before I tell you why I like Borders so much, let’s talk about chain stores and the whole “mall area” in general, shall we? Yes. Yes, we shall.

Every time I write about not liking the mall or if I allude to a general distain for chain stores (as if that’s some sort of radical concept) I usually hear from a store manager or two talking about contributions to the tax base, the job base, and five or six other bases. AND. Every time I talk about liking a chain store or how downtown Eau Claire might actually benefit from a strategically chosen national franchise, I usually hear from a concerned citizen or two talking about how insane that is and about how I’m weighing down our Buy/Eat/Go local! momentum.

To those people: Clearly, I’m going for that kind of reaction. Clearly, your opposing opinions are extremely important. And clearly, you can stick it up your Hummer’s tailpipe/recumbent bicycle spokes.


My family and I are struggling to live a “local life” just as much or more so than most people around here, and doing so at the foot of a massive heap of cheap, convenient, non-local, petroleum-soaked, commercialized daily necessities is not easy. But we continue to try and do our best. I’m just being honest about all that, so what else do you want to hear?

Hey, let’s digress some more! I recently asked a non-car-owning, bicycle-loving friend if he’d heard of any good deals on a used bike. I told him I had about $50 to spend. He said you should spend at least $300 to get anything useable. I told him I had $50. He said I needed $300 and that you can “find the money” if you need to, and maybe I could sell my car. I stared at him and I wondered how long it would be before he needed to find health/dental/home insurance for a family or, you know, feed them. Life is probably simpler than most people make it out to be. But it’s not always “just sell you car” simple.

OK, now. I’m going to read my first paragraph again ... books, books, ancient prophets, books, the library, books ... Borders! Right! I like Borders!

My family doesn’t spend a whole lot of money there, we mostly just hang out, window shop, unlock ancient secrets, and read. So basically, loitering at Borders is a family activity for us. I’m pretty sure stores like Borders are designed around that concept (there’s a whole friggin’ bistro in there), so I don’t feel guilty about it. However, places like the public library and used bookstores have lots of comfy chairs and plenty of tomes to peruse. Why don’t I go there?

Because an occasional trip to Borders is just fun. Things are laid out in a much more concentrated floor plan than the library’s offerings, allowing quicker access. The selection of books, though limited, is designed to be flashier. I guess my experience with books at Borders is generally more superficial – kind of like reading People magazine in the bathroom (if you’re into that). Small doses of superficial can be pretty relaxing.

So I’m not arguing for Borders instead of places like the library. My family still hits the L.E. Phillips way more often than Borders. We just use it for fun.

And hey – if we could figure out a way to bike there, we would.