It’s official: Chestnut Hill Borders to close in January
by Joel Hoffmann

The announcement should have come as no surprise. For months – years, even – Hillers had periodically pronounced their Borders Book Store dead. But after Mary Davis, a Borders spokeswoman, confirmed last week that the store would close in 2010, Germantown Avenue began to stir with dread and disbelief.

For nearly 15 years, the 8701 Germantown Ave. store has anchored Chestnut Hill’s commercial corridor. It’s been a directional reference point, a cultural hub and a quasi-landmark in a historically significant neighborhood. It has counted Rosa Parks and Jimmy Carter among its most distinguished guests – both visited the Hill in 1996 – and has no doubt hosted hundreds of dates, discussions and daydreams.

But on Jan. 16, Borders will sell its last book, last magazine, last coffee, and no one knows how long it will remain empty.

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Borders is leaving Chestnut Hill after 15 years. (Photo by Pete Mazzaccaro)

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There goes the neighborhood?

When word began to spread last week that Borders Book Store would close for good in January, there was a buzz of low-grade panic in the air. Other shops had closed in the last few years, even some big ones like Caruso’s and Wawa, but Borders was different. This was the Big One.

Perhaps it’s the shop’s position at the physical peak of Chestnut Hill’s Germantown Avenue retail corridor. Or maybe it’s the shop’s size and the chain’s big-name familiarity. Whatever the case, most in Chestnut Hill consider Borders to be the Hill’s commercial anchor. As it goes, so goes the neighborhood.
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Springside athletes commit to Div. 1 schools Four Springside School seniors have committed to play Division I sports in college next year. Lacrosse players (from left) Lindsay Yang signed with Lafayette College, Courtney Caputo with Georgetown University and Nicole Lombardo with American University. Jenn Arcidiacono has signed to row at Alabama University.  A fifth senior, Katie DeGennaro, will sign on Feb. 3 National Signing Day for field. (Photo by Leslie Lane)
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U11’s Blue Lightning ends season in second

The Blue Lightning U11 girls travel team had a battle on their hands last Sunday as it played an A.C. United team eager to avenge a 1-0 loss from earlier in the season.

The first half saw much back and forth play as the stopper/sweeper team of Sophie Smith and Serena Lanfranco shut down every scoring opportunity that United could conjure. 
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GRINCH’s (GReenINChestnutHill) Weird Waste Day on Saturday, Nov. 14 was a huge success. Nearly 5 tons of electronics were collected for responsible reuse and recycling. The Chestnut Hill Parking Foundation’s permission to use the Highland Ave. lot was much appreciated!

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