Bye-Bye, Borders

Can electronic reading devices really replace the tangible and tactile experience of reading traditional paper and print books?  What about the bookstore cafe experience which is a time and place to socialize and communicate about books, periodicals and ideas?  I think the city is losing something profound, and I can only hope that Barnes and Noble will one day step in and fill the intellectual void being left in Scranton with one of their own brick and mortar stores.

Borders Bowing Out

The Scranton Borders Store

It seems impossible, but when the Scranton Borders store closes its doors for good in the very near future, there will not be any full-sized, dedicated bookstore left in this city of 76,089 people.  People in search of the book-browsing and latte sipping experience will need to drive twenty minutes or so to neighboring Wilkes-Barre to visit a Barnes and Noble.  Truly, this will be a sad milestone of life in the Electric City in the twenty-first century.

Hard Times

This business has definitely seen better times.

Scranton is the Home of Debra Records

"Debra Records - The Best in Doowop Since 1958"

Tuck's In Downtown Scranton

Some call this mural street art, some call it graffiti.  Whatever, it definitely brings some color to downtown Scranton.

Inkstreet Tattoo (and Ralph's!)

Need a haircut AND a tattoo?  It doesn't get more convenient than this!

Interesting Shoppers at The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos

I'm not sure which of these two I find more disturbing.  The damsel with demonic eyes in the tower?  Or, the overgrown angery ape?

There is definitely more going on inside this place than just some innocent candle making.

The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos

There is more than candles to be experienced at The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos.  When the owners suspected that ghosts were on the premises and burning the candle at both ends, they contacted the Scranton based Pennsylvania Paranormal Association.  Their investigation came to the attention of a New York production company that was producing a new show called "The Haunted" for Discovery's Animal Planet channel.  The Candle Shoppe of the Poconos was featured on one of the first season's episodes.   I missed that episode, (O.K., I confess.  I missed all of the episodes.) but looking at the outside of the building I have to wonder if King Kong is suspected of doing the haunting.

Hot Yoga in Scranton

  Hot Yoga!  If you know little about yoga you might be thinking tight outfits and sexy poses.  Or, you might think it has something to do with the temperature on the thermometer at the top of the sign.  Unlikely, given it was actually 35 degrees out.  But hot yoga, formally known as Bikram Yoga, is a form practiced in a hot environment that is ideally 105 degrees.  The idea behind the heat is to increase flexibility and reduce stress, tension and injury.  I imagine a lot of cleansing through sweating also takes place during the typical 90 minute session.  

  After a session of hot yoga at Scranton's Steamtown Hot Yoga, thirsty and hungry practitioners can indulge in good fruit.  Much better than bad fruit.

Tattoo Art

  I don't have anything against tattoo art, but I gotta say I would not want the picture on the poster imbedded in my skin for the rest of my life.   For anyone interested in skewering a body part, Marc's Tattooing also handles body piercing.  And nervous or squeamish  types can rest easy.  All employees of Marc's have Red Cross first aid and bloodborne pathogen certification!

Peeping Toms

Whatever they are, they must really love to read!
(f3.5, 1/1000, ISO 125)

The Cigar Club

The city may be small, but it caters to many tastes.  So sophisticated.  Not always so healthy.