Discounts Draw Bargain Hunters to Borders' Closing

“Everything Must Go!”, “Everything 20% to 40% Off” and “Nothing Held Back” signs peppered exterior windows, inside displays and register areas. They were sad signs of the times.

Fairfield's downtown anchor, Borders Books at 1499 Post Road, which had announced it would close just last week, was already in the beginning phase Saturday afternoon of selling off its merchandise, offering discounts that appealed to area consumers, as long lines could be seen at all registers. Any store events that had been scheduled, like a Lego Racers Kids Event on Saturday afternoon, had been cancelled and the popular in-house café was closed.

“I’m definitely sad to see this go,” said Kelly Bishop, of Fairfield, who had an armful of children’s books. “I have a 2 ½  year old and we come here at least once a week. It’s a major loss for Fairfield. I’m taking advantage of the sales, though, while the books are still here. I knew that the other Borders were closing, but didn’t expect this one to close. I thought they did so well. A cashier told me last week – I was shocked as was everyone on line with me.”

Beverly Dacey, of Easton, was similarly loaded up. “I came down today to mourn the loss of the store,” she said. “It was a terrific place to escape from the pressures of daily life and indulge in pleasures of the mind. I’m stocking up on magazines, books, cards, gifts, etcetera. I might as well take advantage of the sales."

"This was an anchor, like the Fairfield Store, that started the resurgence of downtown," Dacey added. "There’s the Borders at the Trumbull mall, but it’s a totally different ambiance and I never go there. This store gave you the feel of a college bookstore.”

Kathy Mitchell of Black Rock, a speech pathologist who works with children and who was standing in line with a bundle of books, said she was stocking up on books for both her students and business.

Sitting in a sunny window spot in the magazine area at the back of the store, Damaris Diaz, 12, of Westport, said she’ll miss the store. “I come here once a week. I was really surprised the store was closing," she said. "I like to come to buy magazines and go to the café sometimes. It would be nice to have another bookstore here, similar to this one.”

Mary Bishop, of Fairfield, was another customer that had loaded up with books. “I didn’t think they were going to close this location. I thought it did well and really the company as a whole, too,” she said. “With this store going empty, it may be difficult to attract new business in downtown."

"I’m taking advantage of sales to buy up gardening magazines," Bishop said. "I’m also looking at bridal books as my daughter is getting married. I hope the company’s able to regroup and open another location in Fairfield.”