Local readers prepare for B. Dalton's closing
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Jan 15, 2010
Story Updated:
Jan 15, 2010
Local bookworms are preparing to say goodbye to a place some have called their second home for years.
While one chapter is ending, another may soon begin if some Laredoans get what they're asking for.
Customers making their final purchases, only hours before the store closes its doors for good.
Just as planned, Saturday will be the last day Laredoans can shop at B. Daltons.
As soon as it closes, Laredo will officially be the largest city without a bookstore:
Xochitl Mora Garcia, with the Laredo Reads committee says:
“We are still looking forward in our quest to bring a new bookstore to Laredo we need to get as many signatures as possible.”
The Laredo Reads committee is planning a bookstore-closing extravaganza Saturday with music, poetry slams and children story telling in celebration, all while trying to collect at least five thousand signatures on their petition.
“That’s what we're trying to impress on these book store companies if they come to Laredo first they are going to have a loyal customer base of avid voracious readers.”
All hope their efforts will pay off, though for some, it won’t be the same.
The public is invited to go by the store at Mall Del Norte on Saturday and enjoy the festivities.
The Laredo Reads committee will be taking signatures to help bring a new bookstore to Laredo.
The event will last throughout the day.
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
A Knapp said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 6:55 PM
Actually, Rick, the owner of the old CiCi's Bookstore location is debating on going back into business. It was a nice bookstore, but mostly no one was in there "browsing". Heck they even had USED books there!
36023869Rick said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 11:04 AM
To the best of my knowledge, this is the third bookstore to close in this city(regardless of whether it was a corporate or local decision) since Cole's at Mall del Norte in the late 70's early 80's, I think. Someone made a great attempt at the Cici's/Target area in the late 90's; they even had coffee. I don't know if it's the simple rule of demand and supply, but Laredo does need a good book store.
35988569Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 9:44 AM
Knapp, don't apologize; stick to your guns, sir. I'm aware Dalton's had a pathetic Spanish section, but that was not why it failed. It failed because the whole division was not making ends meet for B&N. In fact, Laredo's store was the highest in profits. I know this much. But, again, as a whole they had to shut down all of them. Oh, and it feeds one's ego when one has to be defensive against those who insult. So, I say the same to you. "As you were,"
35981217A Knapp said on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 6:54 PM
Okay, I apologize for my "attention getter" first sentence. But it does not make me any less American or Hispanic to state an observation. I a not racist, but if you want to think that, go right ahead. But continuing to "feed" you would only serve to stroke your ego. So with all sincerity I apologize for the first sentence of my post. But, I was only noting that B. Daltons had little spanish books and more "english" books, which is why it most probably failed to thrive here.
35946962Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 5:13 PM
Knapp, please, this is embarrassing. You're white. I'm Spanish. We're both Americans (at least I am). But, don't. You observed and patronized without you knowing it. When it comes to race, you have no say in the matter. I'm sorry, Knapp. Your race owes a lot of others. Now, let me remind you: you said that you knew why Laredo doesn't read, explaining your argument with people reading in Spanish only. Isn't that reading? Oh, I get it, we have to read English to know? What are you talking about?
35940849Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 5:06 PM
Lorena, even with this post were you able to be sloppy. What, you annoyed with those who point out your errors? I won't help you find them. You're a grown woman (I hope) and should know better, silly. And no, it didn't take me two hours. It took me two hours, seven minutes with twenty two seconds to type up a comment. Jesus, must we all be precise when insulting? >p
35940372cg said on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 12:31 PM
Knapp you are not racist or prejudice you are just stating the obvious and what you have observed. I agree with you but an all spanish language book store wont do diddly squat because not alot of peole in Laredo like to read point simple.
35920472Lorena said on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 9:48 AM
Hey, Anonymous or XD or whatever, Tell me where the misspelled words are, you ignorant moron. Did you notice the elipsis at the beginning, Neanderthal? I'm surprised you took your fingers out to type your post. How long did it take you? Two hours? Idiot!
35907924A Knapp said on Monday, Jan 18 at 11:06 PM
What makes you believe I am a racist against hispanics/latinos? Some of my blood is spanish-Indian. If I were to hate hispanics I would be hating a part of myself. True, I am more Anglo-European in blood, but I still have 1/5 of it to be hispanic. :) I don't believe anything I said to be deragatory, but simply stating people in Laredo largely like to read in spanish. That is neither bad nor good, just an observation.
35887622Anonymous said on Monday, Jan 18 at 10:24 PM
Outsider, stay out.
35885852Anonymous said on Monday, Jan 18 at 10:20 PM
Knapp: shut up! You may think you're not, but you can't help yourself. You’re a racist. ("Remarks are pretty racist"). Please, spare me the illusion and at least be quiet. Stop. You can't help but be condescending. Your post proves it. As usual, your race feels the need to say they aren't racist when by nature you look down at everyone. Fool, you’re not excused because you call yourself “gringo”. How typical. Jesus. “Oh, you are so right with that. A Spanish bookstore would be good.”
35885529Anonymous said on Monday, Jan 18 at 10:10 PM
To Lorena: you're a self-hating Hispanic who can't spell much less complete a sentence. That's right, burro, you're known about Laredo. I'm surprised you even have a computer. XD
35885074A Knapp said on Monday, Jan 18 at 5:50 PM
Here is an example why Laredoans don't read. In my office, I put up magazines. The magazines that fly off the rack are the spanish written ones. English written magazines tend to stay. Hence, establish a spanish bookstore and it WILL make money. :) The whole taco/pirate cd's remarks are pretty racist, and as a "gringo" I don't support them!
35872632JT said on Monday, Jan 18 at 3:54 PM
What can we expect when we live in a cultural desert? If it doesn't involve accordions, Solido, Pesado, or some ignorant rapper, most people don't care.
35865227max said on Monday, Jan 18 at 10:29 AM
I fail to see what good collecting signatures will do! unless each person that signs the petetion pledges to buy a couple thousand books
35844544Lorena no sale del mol said on Sunday, Jan 17 at 7:48 PM
...And besides tacos, some loud colombianas and bunches of pirate cds.
35816802Laredo said on Sunday, Jan 17 at 2:26 PM
B. Dalton in Laredo was profitable; the division wasn’t which means a bookstore is smart business. We’ll be losing: schools will buy from surrounding cities if not online when it could be here, Mexico will go elsewhere. Reading was high but results don’t show because the census has yet to take place. 8 years of data means old information. Times have changed, but I’m sure you wouldn’t buy a car online like you would a home, right?I’m amazed there’s a racist in here. Quite scary isn’t it?
35803162hello??? said on Saturday, Jan 16 at 11:17 AM
We are living in different times, and its all over the developed countries, newspaper stores and bookstores are going to end. thanks to the internet. just like the walkman and the VHS video players, cassette players, tube tv sets, long distance phone companies...etc, etc.
35753709tell-all said on Saturday, Jan 16 at 10:15 AM
Should have had a taco stand in it then it would have been profitable.
35750797Outsider said on Saturday, Jan 16 at 9:22 AM
It's called "supply and demand", if there is no one buying new books a company will not stay. This is what is happening with B. Dalton. There's not enough demand to keep the company profitable. This goes with all companies. If there is not a demand for the product you sell, you won't stay in business.
35748712Add a comment
Most Popular