Ashland — The Waldenbooks in the Ashland Town Center is expected to be among 200 stores closed by Borders Group Inc. at the end of 2009.
The closures will eliminate about 1,500 employees, according to The Wall Street Journal, leaving Borders with roughly 130 mall-based locations. Borders Group is the nation’s second-largest bookstore chain.
General Manager Merri Hurn said mall officials were notified of the plan to close Waldenbooks on Monday morning.
“We are actively looking for someone that will replace Waldenbooks and fill that need in this market,” Hurn said.
The mall manager said the decision to close the Ashland location is not a reflection of low demand for books, magazines and other specialty products, explaining local customers had previously expressed strong demand for an even larger store than the existing Waldenbooks.
A statement released by a Borders spokesman indicated the mall stores scheduled for closure will be fully stocked for holiday shoppers and should begin clearance sales in mid-December.
An employee of the Ashland Waldenbooks declined comment about the corporate decision to close the store, but made a point of saying the Ashland store will conduct a book drive to help build a new library for victims of domestic violence at Safe Harbor. The book drive begins Saturday will continue through the end of the year, the Waldenbooks employee said.
“We are saddened by the loss of any business, regardless of its location, and realize the impact on our community,” said Chrissy Dillow, general manager of Kyova Tri-State Mall & Lifestyle Center.
“As a lifestyle mall we do see the benefit of offering a bookstore at Kyova Tri-State Mall & Lifestyle Center but are not in serious talks with any potential bookstores at this time.”
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.
Local News
Ashland Waldenbooks to close
Among 200 Borders Group stores affected
- Local News
-
-
Ohio man killed In Lewis County
A motorcyclist from Ohio was killed after crashing on Ky. 59 near Scotts Branch Road on Saturday.
-
TIM PRESTON: Karats, peaches, wings and brews, old couches and new beauty
Weekly business column from Tim Preston.
-
Come on in!
It’s time to grab a towel, some sunscreen and your shades — pools in the Tri-State are nearing their opening dates and are bound to provide some days of fun this summer.
-
Pooches take to the street in Dog Jog
They were running with the big dogs Saturday in Grayson.
-
A Smith Branch Legacy
Six generations of Robinsons have called Smith Branch home.
-
Court battle heating up over stretch of blacktop
The court fight is just heating up over a block-long stretch of blacktop in Grayson.
More parties are piling on in the lawsuit accusing Grayson of passing an illegal ordinance to take ownership of the pavement. -
Regional jails ‘a total failure’
As the debate over a proposal to create a new Northeast Regional Jail Authority continues, some officials with the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville are watching closely.
-
Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
State legislatures and Gov. Steve Beshear gathered in West Liberty on Friday to sign three bills that will help in the recovery efforts of the tornado-stricken town.
-
Students get more than a scoop’s share
There’s nothing more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day, and no one knows that better than the principal of Hager Elementary School in Ashland.
-
2 school aides part of drug arrests
Two elementary school aides and three other people were arrested Thursday in a Carter County drug investigation.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ohio man killed In Lewis County
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
