Aug. 17--Borders' first concept store in Texas is open in Allen, and while this national chain may be struggling financially, it's rich in the idea department.

Visitors should plan on spending a couple of hours in this two-level store to experience interactive features in travel, cookbooks, wellness and other departments.

The mural on three walls in the children's department by author and illustrator Colin Thompson is worth a long, leisurely stare, with or without kids.

The Manga department, featuring Japanese comic books, is run by a real enthusiast.

The digital center is a good place to get a primer on some of the latest consumer electronics, with about 20 well-edited products such as a solar-powered charger, an e-book and a device that lets you turn your laptop or smart phone into your TV or DVR from anywhere.

"We're not trying to be Best Buy," said Bill Christensen, Borders zone vice president.

"But this isn't just a bookstore. Eighteen months ago, we started researching with our customers what else we could be."

Some features have been tested since last fall at the Lovers Lane and Greenville Avenue store in Dallas.

So much can be customized.

Shoppers can burn their own CDs, make audio books and learn how to do picture books. There's also a self-publishing kiosk.

In travel, a program allows people to find a vacation spot by entering criteria. Once a spot is picked, it lists festivals and major sporting events happening there in the next year.

Another service allows booking a trip.

Located at the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 75 and Bethany Drive, the store is in the new 52-acre Watters Creek at Montgomery Farms project. The development includes 300 rental units, offices, stores and restaurants, including Cheesecake Factory.

Fighting competition from online booksellers such as Amazon.com and expanding book departments at Wal-Mart, Costco and Target, Borders hired investment bankers in March to explore "strategic alternatives," including sale of the company.

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