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Borders Books and Music reopens in Lower Manhattan next Thursday, June 12, replacing the WTC store destroyed 9/11/01:
- Located in the American Surety Building at 100 Broadway between Pine and Wall Streets, the new 31,200-sq.-ft. store has two full floors, a mezzanine and a cafe operated by gourmet food and kitchenware specialists Dean & DeLuca.
In a prepared statement, Borders president Tami Heim said, “Borders is back in Lower Manhattan and it feels great!… Borders is grateful to everyone who made our return possible, ranging from loyal customers who rallied for a new store to Mayor Bloomberg.”
Other opening-day events include signings by Federico Castelluccio, who plays Furio Giunta on the Sopranos and is author of The Tao of Bada-Bing: Words of Wisdom from the Sopranos (Carhill Ventures/Welcome Rain), and by recording artist and Broadway star Sarah Brightman. In addition, Borders Group CEO Greg Josefowicz will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange at 9:30 a.m.
Events planned for the store’s opening weeks include a visit from Belle of Beauty and the Beast, currently playing on Broadway, a panel of Middle East experts whose discussion will be broadcast by Book TV and appearances by bestselling authors and musicians Mary Higgins Clark, Lauren Weisberger, Omar Tyree, Pete Hamill, Phoebe Snow, Toby Young, William Buckley, Gene Simmons, Jim Kaat, Jesse Harris and Pete Francis. [PW Daily]
An important real and symbolic reawakening near Ground Zero – well worth joining in the celebration if you’re in the area.
