This is Where Borders Bookcases Go to Die

One of the major things we lost in 2011 was the once-vibrant Borders book and music chain. Now the former Border stores sit empty in spots such as Glendale's Brand Blvd. and Pasadena's Lake Avenue. But pieces of it live on -- look carefully at used bookstores around town, and the Borders shelving is popping up all over the place. We mentioned back in June that downtown's The Last Bookstore uses the old Borders fixtures (nicely refinished) -- and now, as seen above, the new discount Crown Books store in Burbank also relies on those Borders bookcases.

One More Chance to Own a Piece of the Ambassador

So two years ago I wrote a post putting this up for sale... and then dropped the ball (and perhaps, more honestly, had second thoughts about parting with it).

But now, with Baby Blogger 2.0 on the way, it's time to make some room in our tiny Franklin Avenue HQ. And that means I gotta truly get rid of the large table I bought at the Ambassador Hotel auction in September 2005.

I also don't have the time to restore the marble, which is pretty badly scratched up in places. (Above, that's the table top, resting on its side. Not shown: The table's wooden legs, which I have stored elsewhere in my garage.)

Therefore, as much as I hate to give up a little slice of history, I'm offering the table up for sale -- for the same price I bought it for at the auction ($50). The table comes with a certificate of authentication as well.

The catch: The damn thing's heavy. (It's marble, after all.) So you've got to be here in Southern California and willing to come pick it up.

Interested? Email us at franklin_avenue@yahoo.com.

More Retail Woes: IdentityCraft Stops Selling to the Public

We tipped you off in 2004 to IdentityCraft, the no-frills furniture store that builds custom-made items that look and feel identical to what you can find in a Pottery Barn or Z Gallerie -- but at a much lower price.

We've spent many a weekend at IdentityCraft's factory in Vernon, where we've bought sofas, bedframes, dressers and even a great-looking entertainment unit. (As a matter of fact, we bought a little too much through the years, and now are in the process of selling a bed headboard.)

Now, IdentityCraft has announced that it's getting out of the retail business, and will instead on selling through the "design and hospitality trade." As a result, IdentityCraft is shutting its Van Nuys showroom, and is liquidating the rest of its stock. The sale began last weekend, and will continue until everything's sold.

6929 Hayvenhurst Avenue
Van Nuys, CA
1.800.511.IDENTITY

FRANKLIN AVENUE'S LIST: Newish Entertainment Center for Sale, Cheap

Here it is, the entertainment unit I always wanted, and finally bought two years ago: Perfect size; straight lines; modern look; real wood (no pressed wood here!); rich, deep brown color; doors for the TV; glass doors for your DVD, VCR, TiVo, cable box and stereo; drawers for your DVDs, etc. Better yet, make this your official gaming station.

The unit is only two years old, but we're downsizing and have got to (sadly) let it go. We originally bought this unit two years ago for more than $700, but we're now asking for just $200. We're taking a big loss just to move it out soon.



What's more, we'll throw the 32" TV in for just $50 more.

Interested? Contact us at our email address: franklin_avenue(at)yahoo(dot)com.