All Borders Books Stores To Close

, the bookstore chain with two nearby locations in Waterford, has announced it is going out of business and will close all of its stores.

, and searched for investors to buy the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. None were found, and the company will close all of its stores by the end of September, according to the Journal.

The good news is the store will have going-out-of-business sales starting as soon as Friday, according to the Journal. Overall, the company has 11,000 employees.

Borders has since released this statement.

Waterford’s Reaction

Patrons inside the Waterford Commons’ Borders were shocked to hear the news. There is no other place in the area to buy new books, Montville resident Charlotte Pietras said.

“It’s so surprising to me,” Pietras said. “This is the once place in the area like this.”

Dan Wilson, who said he bought 12 books this year alone from Borders, didn’t even know how to react. After hearing the news, he sat dumbfounded, at a loss of words.

“Wow,” Wilson said, a Norwich resident, after finally regaining his composure. “I’m speechless.”

The most shocking part is the store is always crowded, Pietras said.

“Every time I come in here it’s packed,” she said. “Even during school time I see students here with their books, getting a coffee and on their computer. This is really surprising.”

Patch asked a Borders employee for comment. The employee refused comment, said nothing was verified and asked Patch to leave the store to not “start a panic.”

Along with the Borders at Waterford Commons, there is a smaller . According to news reports, both will close by September.

Other nearby Border's stores to Clinton include one in Meriden, West Farms Mall in Farmington, and Trumbull.

A Press Release From the Attorney General

Attorney General George Jepsen is advising consumers that Borders Group will begin going-out-of-business sales in its remaining stores in Connecticut on Friday and conclude them on or before Sept. 30.

According to terms filed with the federal Bankruptcy Court, Borders gift cards will be accepted in retail stores and online during the closing sales. Borders Rewards Plus Loyalty Program discounts will be honored in retail stores and online, for the first 14 days of the closing sales.

Items purchased prior to the closing sales may be returned with an original store register receipt. Those returns are also subject to the store’s return and price-adjustment policy in effect on the purchase date.

During the closing sales, all items are being offered “as is” and all sales are final.

"I’m sorry that Borders could not find a buyer, which made it necessary to close its remaining stores,” Jepsen said. “My office will be monitoring the sales to make sure the interests of Connecticut consumers are protected.”

Jepsen urged consumers to use their outstanding gift cards as soon as possible.

The closing sales will be held in Borders stores in Meriden, Waterford and Farmington as well as Borders Express outlets in Westfarms Mall in Farmington, Crystal Mall in Waterford, Eastbrook Mall in Willimantic and Waldenbooks in Westfield Mall in Trumbull.

The company closed eight Connecticut stores in Danbury, Fairfield, Manchester, Milford, Simsbury, Southbury, Stamford and Wilton earlier this year.

Customers with unresolved complaints may contact the Office’s consumer protection unit at 860-808-5400.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew F. Fitzsimmons is handling this case.