Bookstores

Jeff Mayersohn, owner of the iconic Harvard Square shop, sent e-mail to fans:

As Rachel noted in a recent newsletter, we just completed our best holiday season in quite some time. The volume of business happily surprised us after years of challenge. Despite this unanticipated demand, our amazing staff rose to the occasion, the publishers supplied us with the books we needed, and our customers showered us with much appreciated holiday cheer. We are very thankful as we head into 2012. ... It is clear that the rumors of the demise of independent bookstores have been greatly exaggerated. Entrepreneurs continue to enter the industry, reimagining how the printed word is distributed to passionate readers. It has been an exciting year, but we promise you that the coming year will be even more exciting.

Via Danielle Dreilinger.

Matthew I. framed the scene at the Downtown Crossing Borders yesterday.

Copyright Matthew I. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

One of those people who read the Globe even on Saturdays noticed this story, in which the region's paper of record says the closing of the Downtown Crossing Borders would leave Boston with "only one chain bookstore in Boston: the Barnes & Noble in the Prudential Center."

It looks like Borders has cancelled its plan to close Downtown Crossing and 50 other stores, in preparation for selling the entire chain to the highest bidder next month. The salesperson who answered the phone yesterday at Downtown Crossing says that liquidation won't start on July 1 as previously announced.

Maybe we'll be lucky and the buyer will keep it open. Meanwhile, if you have a Borders gift card or any loyalty points, you should spend them immediately.