Business
Borders: An Open and Shut Case
A certain generation remembers Borders as the worthy competitor of the massive bookseller Barnes and Noble. But while the latter has since developed into the monolithic purveyor of all things media, the former has been reduced to a relic of a bygone era.
The book-reading community isn’t what it used to be. And from what we can glean, things aren’t going back. The technological developments of the last century—and the resultant dwindling of our attention spans—have safely secured this truth.
Of course, reading hasn’t died out entirely—it’s simply, erm, changed area codes. Or whatever the f*ck. Today, the majority of people do their reading on digital devices. Phones, tablets, and laptops have become the dominant means of receiving information of any kind, making physical books a less desired commodity.
But there’s still a healthy chunk of people whose idea of a good time includes snuggling up with a good book. And niche markets can still yield great gains. Similar examples can be seen in the music community, where, after years of physical mediums dropping in popularity, artists have again found vinyl to be a viable option.
No one’s getting rich off these things, but there is a market. And if you’re (at least partially) doing it for the love of it, that’s usually enough.
Introduction
A certain generation remembers Borders as the worthy competitor of—and, at one time, a superior to— the massive bookseller Barnes and Noble. But while the latter has since developed into the monolithic purveyor of all things media,, the former has been reduced to a relic of a bygone era.
But let’s go back to the beginning when Borders was in its infancy, and dissect the fall of the once-great bookseller.
Great Expectations
Borders began as a family venture, founded in 1971. Brothers Tom and Louis Borders opened an 800-square-foot used bookstore called Borders Book Shop at 211 S. South State St. in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Aided by Louis’s development of a software system that helped the store manage inventory and accurately project sales, Borders enjoyed a competitive advantage lasting two decades. The brothers, who graduated from the University of Michigan, used this inventory tracking system to their advantage, eventually licensing it for commercial use.
By 1975, the brothers added to their burgeoning brand when they bought out Wahr’s, an aging bookstore down the road from the Borders flagship store, and stocked it with rare books. Borders’ prominence began to build, but the company was still firmly rooted in Ann Arbor.
Arch of Triumph
Borders began to rise through the bookselling ranks in the late 80s. Much of the progress made during this period would be attributed to new recruit Robert DiRomualdo, who would go on to become chairman, president, and CEO of Borders Group, Inc. Under his leadership, the company expanded.
In 1991, Borders started integrating music and movies into some of its stores. Through this diversification, the company successfully widened its audience and bolstered its position as a top-level retailer. The following year, Borders was acquired by Kmart Corp, creating the Borders-Walden Group, which Kmart Corp bought in 1984.
At the time, Borders had 21 large stores. The New York Times reported that the company had valued itself at about $190 million. However, the marriage was short-lived, and in 1995, Borders split entirely from Kmart. That same year, Borders— now named Borders Group Inc. — went public.
At the time, Borders’ innovative inventory management system was considered “the envy of the industry,” as one publisher put it, and was a catalyst in the forthcoming boom in the company’s superstore footprint.
By the mid-90s, under the leadership of CEO Robert DiRomualdo, Borders had reached its peak of popularity and profitability. In 1997, its stock price hit an all-time high at $44.88. It was a period marked by prosperity in growth.
Borders expand its store footprint by 25.5 percent, adding 52 superstores. By January 1999, the company has 256 superstores averaging $256 in sales per square foot.
Death of a Salesman
Borders embraced the internet age in 1998, making its internet presence known with the launch of Borders.com. It would be the final glorious plateau of Borders’ existence.
Leadership would soon become muddied. In 1998, Philip Pfeffer replaced DiRomualdo— a decision that lasted less than a full year. In April of the following year, Pfeffer resigned and was replaced on a temporary basis by DiRomualdo. But by November 1999, the carousel would halt, and Greg Josefowicz would become Borders’ permanent CEO.
Borders contracted with Amazon to sell products online in 2001. During the early 2000s, Borders was still deploying a tactic of growth through acquisition, buying United Kingdom-based Paperchase Products Ltd.
In 2005, Borders posted $101 million. The following year would be it’s last to make a profit.
George Jones replaced Josefowicz in 2006 as CEO after 7 years of holding the office. Borders’ stock price hit a then-six-year-low $12.28 a share. The company would sell its U.K. and Ireland subsidiaries in the same year.
Parade’s End
In 2008, Borders put itself up for sale. The company accepted a $42.5 million loan from New York hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management to boost its financial position. All the while, the Ann Arbor personnel shrunk down to 1,000 after 156 jobs were cut as part of a $120 million cost-cutting plan.
Around this time, Barnes and Noble—the major competitor of Borders— was actually considering acquiring the company. Barnes and Noble would eventually rule out this possibility.
The following year, in the midst of a global recession, Borders’ viability officially gets called into question. Investors would criticize the company’s sluggish approach to the emerging electronic books market.
On the last day of 2010, Borders’ stock plunges 22 percent to $0.90 a share. It would be a sign of the year ahead. Early 2011 was wracked with layoffs and financial reports indicating that bankruptcy may be on the horizon.
Things Fall Apart
Borders officially filed for bankruptcy in February of 2011. In an interview, Borders CEO Mike Edwards says the company could emerge from bankruptcy by September if it gets support from publishers. He also says the company has fewer than 400 workers left at its headquarters.
During the subsequent few months, a number of tentative bids were made by companies looking to acquire the hemorrhaging Borders brand. Unfortunately, all bids would fall through.
On July 17th, the deadline for bids passes without any new possible acquirers emerging. The following day, the company announced its plan to liquidate, laying off 10,700 people.
Its primary rivals, Barnes and Noble and Amazon, both succeeded in transitioning to the digital market and pivoting towards newer, more electronic forms of media.
What was once old is new again: mid century modern is back in style. From architecture to furniture, the postwar look is in, and the hype extends all the way to office chairs.
Do you need a mid century modern office chair in your life? If so, there’s plenty to choose from. Your office chair should be tailored to your style, whether you like luxury, utility, or something in between.
That’s why we’ve put together our 10 favorite places to find your ideal mid century modern office chair.
What is mid century modern design?
After World War II, spirits were high in the US, and new technology was taking the country by storm. Mid century modern refers to the design concepts that came about during this time.
As opposed to the frilly, ornate designs of classical furnishings, mid century modern designs are angular, material, and functional. Wood is a common design element, especially teak. Mid century modern furniture may also have materials like glass, vinyl, and metal. Designs are simple and geometric, with bold accent colors to make them pop.
The mid century modern aesthetic never really went away, but it’s made a noted comeback in recent years. Some have chalked it up to Boomer and Gen X nostalgia, others point to mid-century-set shows like Mad Men and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Why should I buy a mid century modern office chair?
Mid century modern is the perfect fusion of style and utility. If you want to cultivate an office space that commands respect without being ostentatious, mid century modern is the style for you.
When it comes to office chairs, an MCM one is often made with sturdy wood and vinyl. They combine the ergonomics of a modern office chair with old-fashioned grace.
If you’re concerned with utility and utility only, a more bog-standard office chair may suit you. But a mid century modern office chair is great for someone who wants to wow colleagues with a mature, thoughtful business space.
Where can I get a mid century modern office chair?
1) Wayfair
When it comes to furniture, Wayfair offers the best of both worlds. Their goods, including their mid century modern office chairs, are stylish and affordable. You can get a sturdy task chair for less than $100 or a more distinguished seat for less than $350.
MCM office chair examples: Dovray ($126), Bradford ($139), Lithonia ($133)
2) France & Son
Wayfair’s chairs are affordable, but France & Son is the perfect option for luxury shoppers. Their mid century modern office chairs are robust and sleekly designed. If you dress to impress and enjoy the finer things in life, these are the chairs for you.
MCM office chair example: Brooks ($695)
3) Houzz
Started as a community for people to share home decor tips, Houzz has become a great ecommerce platform for finding stylish furniture. They’re more known for home decor than desk chairs, but they have plenty of great, affordable finds if you know where to look.
MCM office chair examples: Arvilla ($173), Rathburn ($259)
4) Laura Davidson
The Laura Davidson collection offers a fairly limited selection of classic office furniture. Still, there’s a reason they’re trusted by big-wigs like Apple, Disney, and Salesforce. Their chairs are sturdy and beautifully designed, reimagining classic Eames and Knoll designs.
MCM office chair examples: Rockefeller ($275), SOHO II Soft Pad ($450)
5) Icons of Manhattan
Icons of Manhattan has a simple philosophy: do one thing, and do it right. Their office chairs are handcrafted from premium materials and tailored to a mid-century modern style. If you want that Mad Men energy in your office (hopefully with a lot less angst), these are the chairs for you.
MCM office chair example: Ribbed Medium ($219)
6) Amazon
Yes, the internet’s premier shopping destination has a robust collection of mid century modern office chairs. Like with most products, their selection of seats is vast and can be hit or miss. Still, they’ve got stunning chairs available for any style, whether you care about comfort, class, or ergonomics.
MCM office chair examples: IDS Home Modern ($219), Art Leon MCM Swivel ($139)
7) AllModern
AllModern’s collection of desk chairs and other furniture truly embodies the mid century modern spirit. Their work is tight, angular, and functional above all. They’re part of the Wayfair family and they traffic in a number of modern styles, but their sleek chairs are perfect for any mid century modern space.
MCM office chair examples: Frederick ($229), Kealey ($349)
8) Overstock
Overstock is known as a one-stop shop for quality home goods at sub-wholesale prices. If you want a spiffy mid century modern office chair that won’t break the bank, they’re the first place to look. While they’re somewhat less reliable than the more upscale platforms on this list, their selection is massive.
MCM office chair example: Joseph Modern ($163)
9) Walmart
Hayneedle’s selection of mid-century modern office chairs falls somewhere between the minimal Laura Davidson and the endless Amazon catalog. Their array of mid-century designs is affordable and versatile, with chairs that match almost any style. While they may be part of the Walmart family, these chairs are anything but second-rate.
MCM office chair example: Waleaf ($97)
10) Target
Why splurge when you can save? As usual, Target is a hidden gem, offering a sturdy selection of mid century modern office chairs for some of the cheapest prices out there. Many of the chairs they offer are from the same designers as these other stores—Christopher Knight, LumiSource, Armen Living, etc.—at reduced prices.
MCM office chair example: Lombardi ($136)
A quality payroll service is one of the most invaluable tools any entrepreneur can have. Whether you’re a small business owner or an HR manager, paying your employees on time is crucial. This makes choosing a service even more weighty, after all, it is a heavy administrative burden. The good thing is, you can outsource this duty to an online payroll processor.
According to statistics, 49% of workers begin a new job search after just two paycheck errors, and with 65% of workers living paycheck to paycheck, it’s more important than ever to ensure an efficient, effective payroll process.
These services can save you precious time and mitigate potential issues. To make it easy for you to choose, we listed the best online payroll services for 2025.
Top 5 Online Payroll Services
Gusto
Gusto is a great option for both new and experienced payroll administrators, boasting an incredibly clean user interface and a first-rate payroll setup. Gusto lets you manage your employee’s time off (vacation and sick pay), company health insurance, and worker’s comp. Gusto offers excellent mobile access, too. This allows employees to manage aspects of their Gusto profiles, view payday insights, and access Gusto Wallet financial tools.
Gusto offers four tiers of membership, the most affordable of which is the Contractor’s Only plan, which offers unlimited U.S.-based and global contractor payments, supporting more than 100 countries, plus 1099 creation and filing at a rate of $6 per person per month with no base price.
The other three are Simple, Plus, and Premium. Here’s a deeper look into each plan:
Simple
Price:
$40/mo + $6/mo per person
Plan details:
- Full-service single-state payroll including W-2s and 1099s
- Employee profiles and self-service
- Basic hiring and onboarding tools
- Gusto-brokered health insurance administration
- Employee financial benefits
- Payroll and time-off reports
- Custom admin permissions
- Integrations for accounting, time tracking, expense management, and more
Plus
Price:
$80/mo + $12/mo per person
Plan details:
(All Simple plan features +)
- Full-service multi-state payroll including W-2s and 1099s
- Next-day direct deposit
- Advanced hiring and onboarding tools
- PTO management and policies
- Time tracking and project tracking
- Workforce costing and custom reports
- Team management tools
- Full support
Premium
Price:
Bespoke pricing, reach out for a personalized quote
Plan details:
(All Plus plan features +)
- HR Resource Center
- Compliance alerts
- Access to certified HR experts
- Full-service payroll migration and account setup
- Health insurance broker integration
- R&D tax credit discount
- Waived fees and exclusive pricing
- Performance reviews
- Employee surveys and insights
- Dedicated support
QuickBooks Online Payroll
Founded in 1983, Intuit is a California-based financial software company. Since its inception, Intuit has developed into one of the best-known providers of accounting software. Their online payroll service, QuickBooks, includes the essential features you need to run payroll.
QuickBooks offers three tiers of membership. The least expensive membership covers basic accounting features, such as invoices. For more features, check out the Essentials and Plus memberships. Each plan’s features are as follows:
QuickBooks Simple Start (2025)
- Price: $38/month for 1 user
- Best for: Freelancers and small teams with basic payroll needs
Features:
- Automated bookkeeping
- 5 free ACH bank transfers/mo for bills
QuickBooks Essentials (2025)
- Price: $75/month for 3 users
- Best for: Small businesses needing deeper financial tracking
Features:
- Includes all Simple Start features, plus:
- Recurring invoices
QuickBooks Plus (2025)
- Price: $115/month for 5 users
- Best for: Growing businesses with HR and compliance needs
Features:
- Includes all Essentials features, plus:
- AI-powered profit & loss insights
- Anomaly detection and resolution
- Budgeting
QuickBooks Advanced (2025)
- Price: $275/month for 25 users
- Best for: Established businesses with HR and compliance needs
Features:
- Includes all Plus features, plus:
- Custom user management and permissions
- Custom report builder
- Data sync with Excel
- Revenue recognition
- Forecasting
OnPay
OnPay is a cloud-based full-service payroll processing system capable of running payroll according to a preset schedule, automatically disbursing wages, and calculating and withholding taxes.
OnPay can sync up with several other software your team is already using, making it easy to integrate the service into your team’s system. Another benefit of OnPays model is the simple, transparent pricing structure. No tiers; just one base rate.
Pricing:
$49/mo + $6/mo per employee
SurePayroll
SurePayroll’s award-winning service supports W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. Additionally, it handles 401(k) deductions and manages flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA).
SurePayroll also offers a mobile app— available on both Apple and Android devices.
SurePayroll offers live support through its United States-based support team through chat, email, or phone.
Small Business Payroll
- Price: No Tax Filing: $20/month + $4 per employee, Full Service: $29/month + $7 per employee
- Best for: Small businesses and startups
Features:
- We file and deposit your federal and state taxes!
- Run payroll in 3 simple steps
- Schedule payroll to run automatically
- Unlimited payroll runs and free 2-day direct deposit
- Reports and pay stubs are available online 24/7
- Supports W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
Nanny & Household Payroll
- Price: Full-Service Household, $39/month, includes 1 employee, $10 per additional employee
Best for: Homeowners
Features:
- Signature-ready Schedule H
- We file & deposit your federal and state taxes!
- Run payroll in 3 simple steps
- Schedule payroll to run automatically
- Unlimited payroll runs and free 2-day direct deposit
- Reports & paystubs available online 24/7
- Supports W-2 employees & 1099 contractors
Be sure to choose a payroll service that works for your business, and provides you with the peace of mind that comes with a reliable bookkeeping system. Your employees will thank you.
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