Closing the Book on St. Pete Borders

ST. PETERSBURG – Jade Baranich remembers the last time she walked into Borders at Tyrone Mall: It was two days ago to use the restroom.

When asked about the last time she shopped at the chain retailer, Baranich drew a blank. “I don’t,” said Baranich, a high school senior.

Noah Gabolski, who accompanied Baranich to the mall, has similar views. “I buy my school books online,” said Gabolski, a St. Pete College student.

Monday's announcement that Borders will close its remaining 399 stores nationwide and liquidate inventory did not seem to surprise or concern consumers, including many people who showed up at stores Tuesday hoping to scope out sales.

But they will have to wait. Store employees in St. Petersburg said they do not know when Borders will close or when the big sales will begin. They referred questions to corporate headquarters, as a TV camera crew filmed outside.

Competition from online retailers, the Kindle's introduction and a consumer exodus from behemoth malls spelled the end for Borders, which sought bankruptcy protection in February.

Borders officials announced Monday night that they now will seek to sell remaining assets to liquidators, a move that a bankruptcy court will have to approve. Borders has posted five straight years of losses, according to Bloomberg.

The final closeout sale is likely to bring crowds back to Borders, even if the surge is only brief before the bookseller goes dark forever.

In St. Petersburg, Gabolski sat in his red Jeep at the Tyrone Mall and thought for a moment about whether he might venture into Borders before it closes.

When the company first sought bankruptcy protection, Gabolski said he found a good deal at the St. Pete store. "I bought some gas gift cards for 50 percent off," he said. "I may go back. I just don't like going to a shopping mall bookstore. Too commercial."

Indifference by consumers does not seem limited to the younger generation either. A St. Pete resident who identified himself as “a retiree” walked out of the store Tuesday afternoon with a Borders bag in his hand.

 “I usually don’t shop here. I go online to Amazon. You can't beat it,” he said. “I’m just trying to use my Borders gift card before the store closes.”

If you go

Borders is located at 6999 Tyrone Square, St. Petersburg. Call 727-381-8890. Store hours are: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.