Battle of the bookstores: Which one will win?

I’ve always found it humorous that Barnes and Noble and Borders are located across the street from each other off of Milwaukee.

Two huge bookstore chains, practically identical in the merchandise they sell: books, movies, CDs, coffee, and other items like blank journals and witty cards, battling it out day after day for customers.

I was originally a Barnes and Noble girl. This happened when I was 15 and my college-age, hipster sister decided I needed to become just as hip and pretentious as she was.

“No, no, you don’t do your homework at home,” she told me one day, “What you do is take your books to Barnes and Noble, buy some coffee, and then sit in the cafe for hours and do it. That’s the cool thing to do. That’s what all the college kids do.”

Okay, those weren’t her exact words, but that was the idea. I shrugged and was like “All right, I want to act like a hip college kid,” and trotted after her to Barnes and Noble where we sat in the cafe, and looked very studious with our lattes and stacks of school books.

That was the start of my addiction. I hung out at Barnes and Noble for the next two years. Oftentimes, I would invite my friends to come with me, and we’d have a party.

Then, about a year ago, I went into Borders for the first time. It was completely innocent. The cafe at Barnes and Noble was ridiculously crowded, so I hiked across the street to Borders.

The store appealed to me. The space was slightly smaller than Barnes and Noble, and less crowded.

I walked into the practically deserted cafe and ordered an iced chai. The barista, instead, suggested a blended chai. “It’s like a chai frappacino,” he said. I had one and had to admit it was delicious.

While Starbucks lovers might appreciate the Barnes and Noble cafe, coffee and tea taste the same to me, no matter where I go.

However, this blended chai drink was one reason I came back to Borders again-and again.

While I felt perfectly scandalous engaging in this affair with Borders, with my beloved Barnes and Noble just across the street, I couldn’t help but appreciate the calm atmosphere Borders offered.

The crowds and lines that I constantly battled at Barnes and Noble were not an issue within the tranquility of Borders.

When summer came around last year, I stopped going to both Barnes and Noble and Borders. I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t been faithful to either one since. However, with finals just around the corner, I’ll need some way to make the arduous hours of studying entertaining.

Where will I go to be a studious college student?

Well, I was in Borders just the other day, had a chai tea, and was pleased once again. If you want Starbucks with your school books, go to Starbucks or Barnes and Noble.

If you want a good chai tea, stop in at Borders. I’m always up for a good chai tea.

Francy Marcotte
Culture Writer

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