Borders Closing in Hands of Liquidators

Stripped down to nearly bare walls, the Borders bookstore on East Main Street in St. Charles inches closer to shutting its doors for the final time.

Set to close with other stores throughout the country, the has featured signs advertising discounts on merchandise and even offers to sell shelving, furniture and cafe appliances—if any of those items are still available. A look inside shows books remain on some shelves but the large majority of the store is vacant of items.

Requests to speak with local store management have been unsuccessful and reporters were asked to talk with corporate management.

“The stores have been handed over entirely to liquidators. We were told that they could close no later than the end of April,” said Mary Davis, a spokeswoman for the bookstore chain, which declared bankruptcy.

It’s up to the liquidators to determine when the stores will close, but Davis said some could close earlier if they get rid of merchandise quickly and have nothing left to sell.

Borders announced in February that it planned to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and decided to shut stores in Chicago and elsewhere, including Wilmette, Mount Prospect, Evanston, Deerfield and St. Charles. They are among at least 200 of the chain's bookstores scheduled to close nationwide as part of the reorganization process.