Oh, I am pissed.

[sosoclever]

Barnes & Nobles has recently opened a store in Cherryvale Mall in Rockford, complete with "a café serving Starbucks coffee." Because of the contract agreement between B&N and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (who own the mall), Gloria Jean's Coffees has to move. There can't be another coffee shop within a certain distance of the B&N/Starfucks, apparently. There isn't another suitable location in the mall, so Gloria Jean's is just going to close on January 27. The Waldenbooks located on the second floor above the B&N is also closing.

Granted, these are both nationwide companies, not small local businesses, but it still sucks great big rocks.

I know plenty of you apparently have no functioning tastebuds like Starbucks coffee, but I do not. I'm really sorry to see Gloria Jean's go.