Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Yet Another Store Closing

It appears Covid-19 claims another corporate casualty in Jackson.  



A Google search reveals the company is closing several stores. 

1992 Ad






42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Or, maybe the store was not selling enough books. Believe me, people did not stop reading because of the virus.

Anonymous said...

COVID just finished off what the Internet, audiobooks and e-books started.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure COVID-19 didn't help but unfortunately the giant book store appears to be on its way out. Specifically this location had been going down for the past few years. Their selection was not very good and the store should have moved a few years ago.

Anonymous said...

Lulu's and Fuddruckers haven't reopened either. They might be on the chopping block as both chains are closing multiple location around the USA

Anonymous said...

Used to love going to Million and sitting there in the lounge chairs. It had become a junk pit over the years. Dirty and torn carpet. Nasty smelling. Sad to see it go. Saw where Robert St. John is shutting his Purple Parrot Restaurant in Hattiesburg after 30 plus years. Says he may try something else in its place.

Anonymous said...

It's a stand alone bookstore. Jackson might support ONE of those but it must be in the perfect location...and this one ain't.

Books? You're kidding.

Anonymous said...

Sad to see another closure but I am shocked this place was still open to begin with. People who care about physical bookstores have one of the best to be found anywhere right across the street at Lemuria, and everyone else has Amazon.

Anonymous said...

Face it folks, this place was like a "dirt cheap" fire sale type store. You needed a mask in there even before covid ..

Anonymous said...

The last three times I wanted a book I tried every metro bookstore but none of them carried the books. They were even banned on Amazon. Funny thing is that Barnes and Nobles dot com had them though!

Kingfish said...

BAM became a pain to just even walk through the store. The aisles, especially near the front, required you to play an unwanted game of twister. You had to negotiate displays of trinkets and junk just to get to the cards, which was a decent selection. Service was ok but yeah, the place was not the cleanest although some of that is due to age.

I do miss the old B&N. Much better layout than the current one and the late hours were cool.

Lemuria used to whine incessantly in the newspaper about BAM but it appears it will have the last laugh. Borders, BAM, B&N. Now only B&N remains. We have what, all of two bookstores in the metro area: Lemuria and B&N.

Anonymous said...

Long since time to turn the page on BAM. Two bookstores and rapidly deteriorating/closing libraries- Jackson is becoming a vortex of education and intelligence. Millsaps is in big trouble too. They are desperately seeking funding.

Anonymous said...

I was surprised BAM didn't relocate to Dogwood Festival after Borders folded. A missed opportunity in my opinion. No guarantees that it would have survived long-term but it would have been more profitable outside of Jackson.

Resubmitted this comment since I wrote B&N by mistake.

Anonymous said...

Generally speaking the USA had for some time far to much retail in all sectors. The bleeding has been accruing for several years at a much slower pace. Just look back before Covid-19 at all the announced closures. We have around the country just to much stuff in to many places.

Not only Mom & Pop stores, complete malls and big box stores. The Amazon shift played a big part but other factors including unskilled owners of family stores. University's that have retail business schools have fewer and fewer students because the writing is on the wall. Not to say all retail is gone but only the strong survive.

New emerging retail that's starting to show its teeth is reflecting back to Wal*Mart, Amazon and big box stores. The purchase and resale of returns, overstocks,slow sellers and shelf pulls is a growing business.
You buy cases,pallets and truckloads from a broker throw out the damaged and trash and resell at a profit the good stuff. It's all over YouTube.

Smart guys and gals are buying multiple truckloads and putting items on tables for resale. The open on Friday cash only everything $5 Saturday cash $4 Sunday cash $2 People line up to get a shot at this stuff. By buying truckloads the number of items divided by the low cost equals very high profits almost no overhead. Just one example of new retail.

Anonymous said...

Lemuria is a much better store. Johnny Evans and his crew do a great job.

Anonymous said...

People who enjoy ready generally have higher IQs, vivid imaginations, and an inner voice. They have always been a smaller population that dwindles every year.

Most of the population is a movie and TV crowd.

Anonymous said...

Robert St. John is a talented columnist on top of restaurateur and ever since I dropped the Ledger, I subscribe to his email blast of his weekly articles. Its usually quite entertaining.

He has been very blunt about the effects of COVID on the restaurant business, but I have not heard anything about Purple Parrot closing. Would be a huge loss for Hattiesburg. No restaurant closing would surprise me, but he has to have more staying power than so many of the other local places. Sooo very thankful I don't own a restaurant right now. Or a bookstore.

Anonymous said...

Now, we see why Chokwe supports UBI programs. Pretty soon, there won't be any jobs left in Utopia.

Anonymous said...

I hate to hear Purple Parrot is closing. I didn't get to Hattiesburg much, but I ate there just about every time. Loved their molasses rolls, but they didn't have any the last couple of times I went.

Hope Robert St. John does something else at that location and doesn't just turn it into an extension of the Crescent City Grill. It was renovated not all that long ago.

Anonymous said...

Gone are the days of sneaking a peek in B Dalton or Waldenbooks. The world is in our palm by comparison. We're lucky we can get our kids interested in paper books. Mine B-lines it to the book section every trip to Sam's club and asks to be taken to the library.

Anonymous said...

Last time I went in BAM, a couple of years ago, I was accosted by some homeless bum who tried to extort some money from me. When I wouldn't cough any up, he became irate and proceeded to make some unjust comments about my poor sainted mother.

I then had to explain to him how short his life expectancy had become.

Needless to say, that experience salivated me for life for BAM.

Anonymous said...

I haven't bought more than a dozen paper books since I got my first Kindle e-ink reader in 2011. It is sad, but not surprising, to see the number of bookstores shrinking.

I do have all of Robert St. John and Wyatt Waters' books though. Things like that deserve a place on the bookshelf.

Anonymous said...

Lemuria is in a pretty building, surrounded by a passable amount of landscaping. It's not a dispiriting and demeaning experience to go there. 'BAM', on the other hand, was in a very ugly building, with not a bush or tree or potted plant in sight. I think there are a few "planting islands" at the fringe of that strip center. But they're not much. You got that "What is wrong with me, going into a place like this?!" feeling, just shopping there. There's a bare-bones storefront, overlooking an unrelieved asphalt ocean, next to a big, ugly drainage ditch and a chainlink fence, and the ugly ass-end of a Wendy's.

Brick & Mortar stores offer plenty, if they offer pleasant RETAIL EXPERIENCES. There's plenty of value in having SOMEWHERE TO GO, if it's somewhere you'd WANT to go.

Shopping in Madison, where even the WalMart has a parking lot more green and park-like than most of the Jackson Metro's actual parks, MAKES US FEEL GOOD. It's an outing... Shopping Grandview is like a quick trip to Italy (but with parking, and without pickpockets). BAM's landlord could have stepped-up their game, to compete, aesthetically. But they didn't.

Anonymous said...

@10:32
What kind of books were you searching for that would be banned on Amazon? And do you have a source? I have never heard of books being banned in the USA.

Anonymous said...

I remember when Books A Million used to put their adult magazines on the shelf with the other magazines. They were covered in cellophane and all you could see was the title. After a lot of complaints they put them behind the counter.

Anonymous said...

Hate to hear this, but yes, it had really gone down. I frequent Barnes. It is more convenient for me, and I enjoy spending time in the store and having coffee. They almost always have what I am looking for and are happy to order if they don't. I also very much appreciate Lemuria.

Anonymous said...

Went at lunch. Only a 20% discount for now. Will come back in a week or two.

Anonymous said...

E-books will kill all the bookstores!
I have a kindle with 300 books on it.
I've gotten half of my books on BookBub.com for $ 1.99, Wow!
So, how can retail store survive?
Also, a used bookstore store is on Lakeland, otherwise know as Hwy 25 just pass dogwood (were Rankin County Tax collector office) is called Impression book.
Also, you heard it here 1st. GOODWILL sells hardback books for $ .50 & paper books for $.25. Yeah. You can thank this blogger later.

Anonymous said...

"Shopping Grandview is like a quick trip to Italy". I suppose you can imagine it is like that if you are somebody who has never ventured outside of Mississippi. Jeez. What a fairyland you live in in your head.

Anonymous said...

Lemuria charges full price.

Gonna miss my discounted books at BAM.

Cbalducc said...

They were once known as Bookland. Did Jackson have one of those?

Anonymous said...

@1:52. Not the original poster but LOTS of books Amazon won’t carry. Most of them cover censorship and also tell the truth about our “best friends and allies” in the Middle East

Anonymous said...

@3:19 you can get ebooks free from the libary.

Anonymous said...

The Chinese virus did not kill Books a Million.

That company had been on a long path of suicide for years.



Anonymous said...

I keep reading 1:11's post for a hint of sarcasm or "tongue in cheek" but I can't find it. I suppose he really feels like he's visiting Italy while at a strip shopping center in Madison. Plus one for Mayor Mary's quest to trick rednecks into upgrading their tastes.

Why argue otherwise? If he's content, let him be content. I'm sure he enjoys the fine french cheeses he gets on his burger at Backyard Burgers".

Anonymous said...

Funny thing I have seen the Jackson mayor shopping at B&N in Ridgeland.

Anonymous said...

@5:25: Not male. Not white (thus not Redneck). Strictly Keto/OMAD (avoid restaurants, if possible, and can fast for days). Long gone from Mississippi.

But truly, if you got around more, you'd realize just how pretty Madison is - particularly considering the region's demographics.

Anonymous said...

1:11 Shopping in Ridgeland makes me feel really, really good - everyone should try it. Wally World in Maryville hasn’t give the me the park experience yet, maybe my mask isn’t tight enough.

Anonymous said...

I actually loved that Books A Million, but mainly because the kids section was great. They had a lot of kids books at good prices, albeit with little to no organization. They also had toys and games which was great to pop into for a last minute kids birthday gift. That said, the book selection for everyone else had dwindled over the years and was replaced by trinkets and trash.

I never understood how they remained in business BEFORE Covid. They certainly weren’t staying in business on me stopping in and buying a $12 kids book.

Anonymous said...

@7:46 The original quote: "...a parking lot more green and park-like than most of the Jackson Metro's actual parks." isn't really describing Tivoli Gardens. It's not setting the bar particularly high. It does not take a lot, for an outdoor space to be "more park-like", than the majority of "parks" between Clinton and Brandon, and between Terry and Canton. The above quote was not comparing WalMart's parking lot with Gramercy Park in Manhattan, or with Forsyth Park in Savannah - but just with the pitiful "parks" in the Jackson "Metroplex".

Maybe you have mobility limitations, and have to park right next to the entrance? Maybe you don't care about your car getting dented-up, and just park close to the doors, for convenience, and so haven't noticed the nice perimeter areas? The underplantings could use some replenishing, but there are some impressive islands and edges of greenery at that WalMart. Those beautiful stands of trees, were PLANTED.

On the other hand, most of the "parks" in the Jackson Metro, are not really recognizable as parks. They're managed by guys who have no concept of nature or beauty (or concept of ANYTHING, really). It's not like they're Landscape Architects or Landscape Designers or Master Gardeners or former Garden Club presidents or Junior League Sustainers. They're just guys who somehow ended up with those jobs. Under them, are a bunch of disinterested guys with room temperature IQs, who have even LESS appreciation for nature or beauty (or anything you can't eat out of a takeout box, or sit in a recliner and watch).

They're just there to do whatever minimum will get them their paychecks. They're the reason why Smith Park's water features "just got filled-up with trash" (too much trouble to pick up, ya know...), and the reason why it's impossible (even if somebody wanted to) to have anything but ugly, sweltering stretches of mown grass (with the occasional border zones of dead, herbicided weeds). Trees? Too much trouble to mow around. Shrubbery? Now you're talkin' CRAZY.



Anonymous said...

I can remember when there was a bookstore in the Metro...

Anonymous said...

They have been marketing the space for lease since the beginning of the year prior to Covid.

Anonymous said...

Fair warning, the salespeople remaining at BAM have gotten in the habit of ringing up some purchases twice (perhaps due to the high volume they are now dealing with). Customers won’t catch the extra charges until they are handed the receipt after payment. If the customer happens to notice, the remaining manager, Alex, explains that the store can no longer do returns, so the customer cannot get their money back.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.