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Borders Books Music & Cafe
Rating Details »
Categories: Videos and Video Game Rental, Bookstores, Music & DVD's, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
4995 S Virginia StReno, NV 89502
(775) 448-9999
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
12 reviews for Borders Books Music & Cafe
Here was today's experience at Borders:
I walked in and was greeted with the heavenly smell of new books! Is there any better smell in the world than that? I think not. I found about two Cds, two movies and seven books I wanted. I had a $50 gift card. I could only spend $10 more than that. I only left with 2 movies and a book and had to spend more than $10 more.
$65 for 2 movies and a book?!?!?!?
BUT the coffee is sublime, the pastries fantastic, and the customer service everywhere in the store is great. Those things do make up for the giant marked up prices.
Why pay jacked up retail when you can wait 2 weeks, and get the same new release books from an Amazon seller, backed by Amazon for 1/10 to 1/2 of the price Borders will charge? (Here I will shamelessly plug my review for Amazon http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
I have occasionally used this store as a browsing tool, or when I needed a gift right this minute. However, given the choice I'd rather skirt the huge crowds and support our local bookstores such as Sundance (yep, another review plug/link http://www.yelp.com/bi...), than throw money down the corporate Maw.
Six months later, brand new editions of the leftover big coffee table books sold here can be picked up at Grassroots Books for $2-$3 dollars (see my review of Grassroots: http://www.yelp.com/bi... -- that's right -- more shameless plugging of my faves!).
While Grassroots is a warehouse, and Sundance hasn't the space for tons of luxurious hanging out, This store is pleasant and clean, with nice little areas to congregate, or ooo and ahhh at all the purties they gots! This and some good coffee are how they suck you in!
Save scads of money, support local sellers (even if they're local from somewhere else) and don't let 'em. Oh, wait a minute. I shouldn't say that because if it weren't for all the suckers paying way too much for their books, I wouldn't get the great Amazon and Grassroots book deals.
Not only does Borders have awesome books, & a great selection, but they have plenty of other cool stuff. I got a whole bunch of stationary last time I went there, & I got a great deal. They have a respectable, clean store, & wonderful customer service.
Chain bookstores are always good because friendly people generally work there, lots of fun nic-nacs to look at, and the overall ambiance of a bookstore; makes you feel, like, totally above it all.
I can't find a lot of the books i'm interested in though, but, like all other bookstores, are happy to order it and have it ready for me in two to three days. Also, if i ever scrounge enough money for some extra books, I'd rather shop at a local bookstore like Zephyr Books or Sundance.
I had to do something after my big payout on the roulette table. I needed something to keep me occupy for the weekend until my result after my March Madness weekend. So I decided to go to Borders and get a book to kill that weekend time...or else my big payout is gone.
This one-level store is smaller than some of the San Francisco's store and this Border's have a caf serving Seattle's Best coffee. But who cares...just get a damn book.
I bought David McCullough's new book: John Adams. The 700 page book, which costs $30.00, is a man conquering the New England area on a horseback ride through the thirteen colonies.
That is one expensive book, but who cares after my hefty winning, it's free!
Yes, you can get your books cheaper at Amazon. Yes, Barnes and Noble has a better selection. Yes, Sundance is locally-owned. But it's this particular Barnes and Noble that makes me feel comfortable. B&N has too many people (customers) clogging the aisles and the high shelves make me edgy. It's also too darned noisy. Sundance is too small and not as accessible by bus. Borders has a nice, open floor plan and I don't feel an overwhelming urge to punch other customers when I'm there. I like places where I don't want to punch people.
Cannot say enough about the bargain section. I'm a book lover like no other and I could browse for days in Borders. And $4.99 hardback books? Priceless. The staff is always very friendly and helpful.
I love Borders, and there are several reasons why. First of all, I love books so I'm generally happy at any bookstore. What makes Borders stand out is atmosphere. I used to work at the Chevy's that's across the parking lot when I was just out of high school. Being broke, trying to pay for college, and working in one of the worst restaurants in town, it's safe to say I could only afford books on occasion. So, right in the middle of winter my car breaks down. My roommate works at Chevy's too, so I can get rides to and from work, but on most days his shift ends and hour or two after mine and I get stuck with two hours to kill in the freezing cold with no spare cash whatsoever.
Thank God for Borders! They have the awesome big plushy chairs where you can relax and read an entire book cover to cover without anyone bothering you or trying to 'upsell' you something. The coffee from their cafe actually is some of the best in town (excluding the hardcore coffeehouses like Java Jungle and Purple Bean), and their employees are that perfect blend of helpful and non-confrontational. If I look lost and confused someone always comes over and offers to help me find something, but if I look like I know what I'm doing they just leave me alone to do it. I love that in a corporate retail establishment, because I've worked at a few and I know how much pressure most of them put on their employees to offer you a hundred different promotions while you're in the store.
So, long story short, I am no longer a starving college student and I now spend a good deal of money on books. I'll always buy at Borders because of how well they treated me when I was a broke-ass kid who couldn't afford to bring any of their products home with me. Thanks Borders.
Five stars for the kick-ass magazine section alone. Coming from small town bookstores that can barely afford to keep a minimal inventory, I'm very appreciative of such selection. Plus the place feels less claustrophobic and cleaner than it's bookstore neighbor/competitor, B&N.
Faceless corporation it may be, but I don't mind helping the local employees out with the occasional purchase during my infrequent trips to Reno.
I know, I know. Instead of giving my hard-earned money to giant faceless corporations, I should be taking my business to small, locally owned stores. Well, too bad - I shop at Borders and I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Borders is close to where I live, so it's easy to stop in just to check out what's new. They have good displays at the front of the store for new fiction and nonfiction, new paperbacks, and sale tables (like their strangely addictive 3-for-2, which tries to trick you into buying three books you don't really want BECAUSE ONE IS FREE).
Mainly, though, I like Borders because they have a large gift section as well. They've already started stocking 2007 calendars in July, so you can get a jump on Xmas shopping, if you're that kind of person. They have a big selection of stationery, journals, notecards, and writing instruments - perfect for last-minute gifts. There's a good selection of beauty products, too, including one of the larger Burt's Bees displays in town. And they're the only purveyor of Paperchase products in Reno that I've found (good news for anyone who likes this inexpensive, cute UK stationery brand).
Naturally, there's also the obligatory coffee bar in one corner, and I've always had good experiences there. The staff are friendly, cute, and they make pretty good coffee drinks - and if you pay attention to your receipt when you check out, there's often a coupon on the bottom for a discounted or free beverage, so that's a plus, too.
I'll always buy the majority of my books/movies/music on Amazon, but for that rare occasion when I have to have something right away, Borders is a good place to go. Too bad their Border Rewards program is so sucky - I like the idea of 5% cashback at the end of the year, but their email coupons have gone into the toilet ever since they started the program. For a cheapskate like me, it's all about who will give me the lowest price - and that's usually http://Amazon.com.
I prefer shopping at Barnes and Noble; Husband prefers shopping at Borders. One thing that Borders really does better than B&N, though, is the cafe. I am always taken aback by the quality of my lattes at Borders--I guess because they are a big chain, I expect them to have mediocre coffee. But the barristas at Borders always churn out excellent lattes--perfect foam, good ration of espresso to milk. Plus, their baked goods are really tasty! On top of that, they also have a really nice seating area with a combination of comfy armchairs and sofas, group tables, and smaller work tables. The only thing that would make this cafe perfect is if they had free wireless (they are a T-Mobile Hotspot).
a fine place to buy a book or two and look cool doing it.
