Breaking a habit is rarely an easy thing to accomplish. During the disengagement process unease sets in. Loss is felt. It doesn’t matter what type of habit it is—good, bad or innocuous–you’ll notice the change.

Since closing my off-line service business and “retiring” a few years ago one of my habits has been to have coffee at my local Border’s store. Several times a week I’d hop in my truck and drive four miles, bypassing a few other coffee sellers, to get my caffeine fix.

This little jaunt served a couple purposes. Firstly, it got me out of the house which I’m sure my wife appreciated. (She has a magnet on the fridge that states, “A retired husband becomes a wife’s full-time job.”) And, secondly, it provided socialization and books. Socialization is thought to be good for all but hermits and books, to me, are an absolute essential.

Border’s Group, Inc., the parent of Border’s Books, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in the Federal Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York yesterday. The petition, in part, requests the courts permission to quickly close about 200 Border’s retail stores. Among the stores to be closed are all three in Hillsborough County, Florida. Since I live in Hillsborough County “my Carrollwood Border’s” is one of them. And I ain’t happy.

Although I’ll be somewhat impacted by having my habit broken I can drive a couple blocks farther to Barnes and Noble. I’ve heard they also sell coffee and books.

My friends on staff at Border’s 171 won’t have the same option. Their habit is different than mine. They go to work each day to provide for themselves and their families. And have been doing so for months and years. The store GM has worked for Border’s for over 20 years, one supervisor around 15 years and several others for multiple years.

They, and another several thousand Border’s employees, are asking the question, “What do I do now?”

Regrettably, I don’t have an answer.

Renee, Bill, Diane, Michelle, Kyley, Alfred, Christine, Christina, Briana, Calley, Brandon, Rod, Ian, Will, Linda, Rita, Jenny, Ben, Stephen, and anyone I may have inadvertently left out, thank you for books, coffee and a great place to hang out.

I’ll miss you…

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