When I first moved back to New York after a 2 year stint in Salt Lake City, Utah I was working for what was then Kinko's, before its massive union with FedEx was even a blip on the radar. But my job in NY was nothing compared to the lively energetic sometimes creeptastic environment I had worked in at the Downtown SLC Kinko's and the commute was a killer. During the two years I had been on sabbatical from the fast paced East Coast life a new chain bookstore had been built. Now I will admit that up until that point, and even a smidge to this day, I am an indie bookstore lover at heart. I grew up schlepping into Manhattan to lose myself in The Strand after a quick browse at Trash and Vaudeville's. The notion of big box mass produced book stores became even more distasteful when I lived in Salt Lake and spent many a lunch or dinner hour with my fellow Kinkoid and friend Chrissyfur perusing the shelves of Sam Weller's. Those were halcyon day !s. So it was most ironic that I walked through the doors of Borders Syosset (#270) to apply for a job in late November of 1999.The scene that day as I walked through the doors of Borders Books and Music in Syosset was one that became a familiar one to me over my non-consecutive tenure at Borders. Employees gathered round the "Info" desk chatting and mocking the obtuse customers and general sorry state of humanity. While the faces may have changed through the years the internal magnetic draw to the Info desk never altered, though its position in the store was constantly in flux. I remember the employee I approached about a job application chuckling in that condescending bookseller way (that all booksellers learn to perfect) and telling me "Honey, you have to be at least 18 to work here." He had me at "you have to be at least 18." I was 23 at the time and desperate to find a job I could enjoy and a camaraderie like what I had been blessed with back in Salt Lake City. Looking back on those Borders days I can honestly say that until my last year there both of those elements were a thriving part of my life. And although I have been a former employee for 3 years this October I can't but help deeply grieve for the place that gave me so much to be thankful for.
Borders Syosset, You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go...
