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I worked for Waldenbooks for 21 years! I started as Temporary Bookseller at Christmas and went on to manage multiple locations for 17 of those years. I remember when we were sold to Kmart then branching off from them to become Borders Group Inc. I have many fond memories of working for this company! Thank you for making this video!
Back in the 1980's I remember going to Waldenbooks once a week with my dad! There was one nearby in the Fox Hills mall and another next to Trader Joe's in Westchester (near LAX). Snacks and books! It was the best.
I've loved Waldenbooks ever since I was a little kid. Being 39 now, I still remember always asking my parents to take me there as we browsed through the mall. I even remember my very last purchase there. That store had a side entrance as well as a mall entrance, and I remember it was a snowy and slushy day as I walked through the automatic doors into the back of the store. As far as Borders, one of the things I miss a lot was Seattle's Best Coffee inside the store. Although owned by Starbucks, their coffee was much better and I loved sitting down at the cafe and reading my purchase.
Same here. I always loved the atmosphere of the book chains. Borders and Books-A-Million specifically. The coffee shops were always nice. The only problem was the lack of a difference between them.
Oh man, do I ever remember Waldenbooks. Where I grew up in Michigan in the 80’s and 90’s, it seemed like Waldenbooks stores were about the only stand-alone bookstores we had. I don’t remember having any Barnes & Noble’s or B.Dalton’s, and although Borders was founded in Michigan, that came later and was bigger in the southeastern part of the state. But it seemed like all of the malls in Michigan had a Waldenbooks. I definitely remember Waldensoftware too. The mall closest to me, although still over an hour away, was the Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw, and they had what was I think one of the earliest of those stores, right next to the already existing Waldenbooks. In fact I think they were connected. Whenever I mention that spin-off of the company, no one seems to remember it but me. But I sure do. In the late 80’s we had a Mac, and it was one of the only stores that we could find Mac software. When I moved to Central Florida in the late 90’s, I had a stand-alone Waldenbooks just a few miles from me. The building is still there, and I’ll always remember it as that, but sadly, years and years ago now it was converted into a pawn shop. I miss stores like Waldenbooks though, as well as tons of other bricks and mortar stores. Even places like Starbucks today, that used to have comfortable upholstered or leather chairs and warm lighting, where I loved to just go relax for a while, are now cold places with wooden chairs and concrete or tile floors. They’re just not warm and relaxing anymore. And I get it, those things wear out easier, need to be cleaned or replaced, and that hurts a bottom line somewhat. But I still miss it.
Great video and excellent channel. I have a lot of memories of my mom working there at the mall and sometimes I'd be there waiting for her to get off work as a little kid and I would read Junie b Jones and goosebumps in the kids section haha
I worked at Waldenbooks from 1990 to 1992. When I started, the Preferred Reader program was $5 and was still fairly new. The $5 fee doubled to $10 and Corporate now made it part of the bookseller's job to sell PR cards. Getting customers to spend that extra $10 sometimes was impossible. I tried, but could never keep my numbers up. I loved working there and selling books, but I HATED the PR program. My hours were cut due to my lower PR numbers. I later quit, and in my exit interview questionnaire, I predicted that Waldenbooks would go bankrupt if they continued focusing on the PR program instead of selling books. Although I was wrong initially, the company did go under later for the reasons in this video.
@@trentrock3210 makes sense, since Lampert moved all the realestate into the credit arm of the co which was not publicly traded. Was always a profitable area.
I use to kill time here after my quarters ran out of the arcade.. read all the gamer and skate magazines and of course there were always a few soft skin mags open, maxim , tattoo, low rider . All times before responsibility
I spent a 7-year career at Waldenbooks--wonderful times, and wonderful job until they started focusing SO much on selling those "Preferred Reader" cards, they cared more about them than they did about selling books. I still miss many aspects of it, though I'm glad I got out right before Amazon devastated the retail bookstore industry.
Walden was the bookstore of my childhood. Both of my parents read a lot of books every month. Went to the mall at least once a week often it was multiple times a week. But once a free standing Barnes and Noble was built not far from the mall that's where they went. Not because they didn't like the mall. Cause B&N had a much better selection. This was of course before Amazon.
Good video, though I don't think that the slowing pace of mall construction from the 1970s into the 1980s is evidence that malls were losing popularity in the 1980s, but rather that so many malls had already been built that they were running out of logical places to put new ones. I think the peak period for malls was in the 1990s or early 2000s not the 1970s. JC Penney saw its all-time peak revenue in 2006, for example
Agreed. That was meant to show how oversaturated things had become, illustrating the end of “mall mania” (as far as construction was concerned.) The demand was filled. There was only so far Waldenbooks could grow being mall-based. That explains why they explored the standalone concept. Wish they had leaned harder into the Waldenbooks & More stores. Good brand. Thanks for watching!
Sadly I just think it was the end of an era for retail book stores. There's a Books A Million near me and I think the only reason it's around is the military base nearby
15:02 states Borders had 1.8 Billon in total assets and 1.9 Billion it total debt, for "Ten thousand dollars more than that in total debt" when it should be $100 Million more in total debt.
It was actually 1.28B in assets and 1.29B in debt. So, the ten thousand was right, but the numbers weren't. My bad. I decided to cut the clip out of the video as it wasn't too crucial information.
They were big competition as well and remain a large national bookseller, but still not as big as B&N. Unfortunately, they, Crown Books, and Cole's were cut for time.
@@PostMortar the B. Dalton in my local mall had a Software Etc. in the back of it, so it was the ultimate one-stop shop for me as a game- and book-loving kid in the 90's.
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Here's the series playlist: th-cam.com/video/8whzI9wyj-A/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching! Consider Liking, Subscribing, and Sharing the video!
I worked for Waldenbooks for 21 years! I started as Temporary Bookseller at Christmas and went on to manage multiple locations for 17 of those years. I remember when we were sold to Kmart then branching off from them to become Borders Group Inc. I have many fond memories of working for this company! Thank you for making this video!
Super cool. Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed.
I worked for Waldenbooks from 1985-1996. Bookseller, Assistant Manager, and Manager. It was often quite hectic. But it’s fun to reminisce.
They were the only bookstore near me. Now it's around a 30 mile drive to a bookstore or buy online without being to sample sections of the book first.
Back in the 1980's I remember going to Waldenbooks once a week with my dad! There was one nearby in the Fox Hills mall and another next to Trader Joe's in Westchester (near LAX). Snacks and books! It was the best.
I loved Waldenbooks! I have many fond memories of buying comic books and manga there. I had no idea about Walden Software or Walden Kids
I didn't either for a while. At one point they at something like seven chains!
I worked for Waldenbooks from 1985-1996. Waldenbooks in a mall, Waldenbooks & More, and Reader’s Market.
ah yes, the mall staple. love this channel. which more people had discovered it.
I didn’t like Waldenbooks at first, but it grew on me overtime. I wish it was still here, it deserves a second chance.
I've loved Waldenbooks ever since I was a little kid. Being 39 now, I still remember always asking my parents to take me there as we browsed through the mall. I even remember my very last purchase there. That store had a side entrance as well as a mall entrance, and I remember it was a snowy and slushy day as I walked through the automatic doors into the back of the store. As far as Borders, one of the things I miss a lot was Seattle's Best Coffee inside the store. Although owned by Starbucks, their coffee was much better and I loved sitting down at the cafe and reading my purchase.
Same here. I always loved the atmosphere of the book chains. Borders and Books-A-Million specifically. The coffee shops were always nice. The only problem was the lack of a difference between them.
Oh man, do I ever remember Waldenbooks. Where I grew up in Michigan in the 80’s and 90’s, it seemed like Waldenbooks stores were about the only stand-alone bookstores we had. I don’t remember having any Barnes & Noble’s or B.Dalton’s, and although Borders was founded in Michigan, that came later and was bigger in the southeastern part of the state. But it seemed like all of the malls in Michigan had a Waldenbooks. I definitely remember Waldensoftware too. The mall closest to me, although still over an hour away, was the Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw, and they had what was I think one of the earliest of those stores, right next to the already existing Waldenbooks. In fact I think they were connected. Whenever I mention that spin-off of the company, no one seems to remember it but me. But I sure do. In the late 80’s we had a Mac, and it was one of the only stores that we could find Mac software. When I moved to Central Florida in the late 90’s, I had a stand-alone Waldenbooks just a few miles from me. The building is still there, and I’ll always remember it as that, but sadly, years and years ago now it was converted into a pawn shop. I miss stores like Waldenbooks though, as well as tons of other bricks and mortar stores. Even places like Starbucks today, that used to have comfortable upholstered or leather chairs and warm lighting, where I loved to just go relax for a while, are now cold places with wooden chairs and concrete or tile floors. They’re just not warm and relaxing anymore. And I get it, those things wear out easier, need to be cleaned or replaced, and that hurts a bottom line somewhat. But I still miss it.
I miss mall book stores but especially miss borders.
Great video and excellent channel. I have a lot of memories of my mom working there at the mall and sometimes I'd be there waiting for her to get off work as a little kid and I would read Junie b Jones and goosebumps in the kids section haha
Glad to see a new episode!
Had a small Waldenbooks in my area and I miss it - small, cozy, but great selection.
This is super interesting. I loved working there.
Our mall had Waldenbooks and a B Dalton’s, loved them both.
I worked at Waldenbooks from 1990 to 1992. When I started, the Preferred Reader program was $5 and was still fairly new. The $5 fee doubled to $10 and Corporate now made it part of the bookseller's job to sell PR cards. Getting customers to spend that extra $10 sometimes was impossible. I tried, but could never keep my numbers up. I loved working there and selling books, but I HATED the PR program. My hours were cut due to my lower PR numbers. I later quit, and in my exit interview questionnaire, I predicted that Waldenbooks would go bankrupt if they continued focusing on the PR program instead of selling books. Although I was wrong initially, the company did go under later for the reasons in this video.
I had the same experience working for Sears in 1990 with service plans. It seemed like that was all they cared about.
@@trentrock3210 makes sense, since Lampert moved all the realestate into the credit arm of the co which was not publicly traded. Was always a profitable area.
I use to kill time here after my quarters ran out of the arcade.. read all the gamer and skate magazines and of course there were always a few soft skin mags open, maxim , tattoo, low rider . All times before responsibility
Waldenbooks was the jump back a little while ago! Peace!
Great Story lots of interesting B-roll. Great Edutainment
I spent a 7-year career at Waldenbooks--wonderful times, and wonderful job until they started focusing SO much on selling those "Preferred Reader" cards, they cared more about them than they did about selling books. I still miss many aspects of it, though I'm glad I got out right before Amazon devastated the retail bookstore industry.
Walden was the bookstore of my childhood. Both of my parents read a lot of books every month. Went to the mall at least once a week often it was multiple times a week. But once a free standing Barnes and Noble was built not far from the mall that's where they went. Not because they didn't like the mall. Cause B&N had a much better selection. This was of course before Amazon.
This channel is my greatest find of the year. The name is the cleverest thing ever. Kudos.
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the videos!
Awesome Video! I shopped at the one in Macon Mall in the early 2000s.
Walden Software is the main one I have a memory of. I lived in B.Dalton territory.
I had my Otherworlds Club discount card in the late 70s and would get my SF books there.
Good video, though I don't think that the slowing pace of mall construction from the 1970s into the 1980s is evidence that malls were losing popularity in the 1980s, but rather that so many malls had already been built that they were running out of logical places to put new ones. I think the peak period for malls was in the 1990s or early 2000s not the 1970s. JC Penney saw its all-time peak revenue in 2006, for example
Agreed. That was meant to show how oversaturated things had become, illustrating the end of “mall mania” (as far as construction was concerned.) The demand was filled. There was only so far Waldenbooks could grow being mall-based. That explains why they explored the standalone concept. Wish they had leaned harder into the Waldenbooks & More stores. Good brand.
Thanks for watching!
Hey, that's ME at 14:40! Our store wasn't closing. It was just getting a remodel.
That's awesome! So cool you made it into the video!
Sadly I just think it was the end of an era for retail book stores. There's a Books A Million near me and I think the only reason it's around is the military base nearby
Interesting to this story would be to note the rebrand to borders express
Yeah, I ended up cutting that. But it just goes to show how badly they ruined the Waldenbooks name.
I miss Waldenbooks
I miss Borders
Back in the 1980s, Waldenbooks was always a 2nd choice behind B. Dalton.
Great video.. maybe too far removed from America but woolworths would be an interesting subject (UK, aus
Definitely a future topic. I'll probably cover America's Woolworth first, though. Someday I'll do international retailers.
15:02 states Borders had 1.8 Billon in total assets and 1.9 Billion it total debt, for "Ten thousand dollars more than that in total debt" when it should be $100 Million more in total debt.
It was actually 1.28B in assets and 1.29B in debt. So, the ten thousand was right, but the numbers weren't. My bad. I decided to cut the clip out of the video as it wasn't too crucial information.
Where did Books a Million fit into this?
They were big competition as well and remain a large national bookseller, but still not as big as B&N. Unfortunately, they, Crown Books, and Cole's were cut for time.
I was never impressed by borders. We got them pretty late in the game here and they always seemed overpriced.
Agreed. Borders felt big for the sake of being big. I liked the smaller, curated feel of Waldenbooks in the mall.
@@daveybelladonna9295 on the other hand, Waldenbooks felt claustrophobic to me.
B. Dalton was better than Walden Books
What did you prefer at B. Dalton that Walden didn’t offer?
@@PostMortar the B. Dalton in my local mall had a Software Etc. in the back of it, so it was the ultimate one-stop shop for me as a game- and book-loving kid in the 90's.