Where’s Waldenbooks?

3 comments January 13th, 2008

I walked in to CherryVale Mall the other day and saw the inevitable : Waldenbooks is closing. The writing has been on the wall for some time, especially after the announcement that Barnes & Noble was moving in lock, stock, and barrel but I have to admit that a part of me was hoping that the “little book store that could” would dig in deep and put up a fight. Alas, there is no battle to be waged. No underdog upsets to pull and this writer fears that the Book Store Beast has not yet claimed it’s last victim. This article serves as a call to arms for Gloria Jeans in hopes that the legendary coffee supplier does not roll over for the piddling coffee pass-off that Barnes & Noble tries to sell to an unsuspecting public. Some tell me that Starbuck’s is the coffee that’s available in that store but the reality here is that when compared to “Glorious Jeans”, who cares? I went in today for my weekly fix and tried their “Coco Loco Mocha Chiller”, and after taking one sip my taste buds truly went Loco as a result of their Coco. In this day in age when brand names become synonymous with actual products (i.e. tissues - Kleenex, mp3 players - Ipods, bandages - Band-Aids) it’s a persistent fear that quality products will pushed out as a result. No one asks for a tissue, they ask for Kleenex. Will it be that one day when asking for a cup of coffee at a local cafe’ people say, “Can I have a cup of decaf Starbuck’s”, well…if Gloria Jeans digs in deep for this battle…this coffee world may remain safe.