Borders Closing is Under Way

It was like Christmas all over again. The lines at in Simsbury Commons snaked all the way to the back, turned, and kept on going.

But it wasn't Christmas that had these shoppers in line, arms loaded with books, games, movies and CDs, it was the fact that the store is going out of business.

Borders number 378, located at 500 Bushy Hill Road, is 23,917 square feet. And it will soon be empty. The liquidation sale started Feb. 19 and will continue until the stock is gone.

"I'm very sad," said Nicole Dolat of Canton, who heard about the store closing in an email. She participates in the store's rewards program.

She said she has always liked Borders better than Barnes & Noble. She is a fan of Manga, Japanese comics, and said Borders had a better selection. On Saturday she had a bag full of Manga.

Brynn Petano of Avon heard about the closing from her brother. Petano is a student at the University of Hartford and came to the sale to pick up several books. She said she is sad to see the store close. She used to come here with her brother to relax and read. Oftentimes, they read something and then put it back on the racks. She wondered aloud if that contributed to the company's troubles.

"Now we feel guilty for not buying," she said.

On Feb. 15, the board of directors of the Borders Group approved a "strategic store reduction program" of certain "under performing stores — equivalent to approximately 30 percent of the national store network" — that are expected to close in the next several weeks in connection with the filing of the Chapter 11 petitions by the company.

"Because of the ongoing impact of the difficult U.S. economy, coupled with the rapidly changing book selling environment, we must restructure Borders and reposition our business for long-term success," said a statement on the Borders web site. "We determined that the best path for Borders to have the ability to achieve this reorganization is through the Chapter 11 process, which we commenced February 16."

A sign on the door at the Simsbury Borders said the Seattle's Best Cafe inside was closing on Feb. 18, but there was still a long line on Feb. 19.

It is not known when the story will close, said one employee. She said it depends on how fast the liquidation goes. There are roughly 35 full- and part-time employees at the store. No one was offered jobs at other stores, she said.

In a press release sent out Feb. 18, Attorney General George Jepsen advised Connecticut consumers that closing sales began at Borders stores in Danbury, Manchester, Milford, Simsbury, Southbury and Wilton and will conclude by April 30.

Borders Group, Inc. assured Jepsen that Borders gift cards, Borders Rewards Plus Loyalty Program discounts, Borders Bucks and merchandise credits will be accepted during the closing sales and at Borders stores that will continue to operate.

“We will continue to monitor the situation to make sure Connecticut customers are protected during this time of transition for Borders,” Jepsen said.  

Consumers may return items purchased before Friday to the stores that are closing, with original receipts and subject to the store’s return policy in effect at the time the item was purchased. Closing sale prices — between 20 to 40 percent off — do not apply to previous purchases.

Items purchased at the closing stores sales may only be returned for a defect not apparent at purchase. Those returns also require a receipt and must be made within 21 days. Customers with unresolved complaints may contact the office’s consumer protection department at 860-808-5400. Assistant Attorney General Matthew F. Fitzsimmons is handling the case.