A BELOVED book store is shuttering one location after 17 years in business as nearby residents say the local book scene will never be the same.
The nationwide retail apocalypse has seen hundreds of stores close their doors.
The rise of online shopping and inflation are seeing consumers reel in their spending at brick and mortars.
Rediscovered Books, a book shop in Caldwell, Idaho, has been the latest retail victim.
The local store said after four years of losing money, it inevitably will have to say goodbye to shoppers this summer, according to The Idaho Statesman.
“It is with heavy hearts that we tell you that we are closing our location in Caldwell. After 4 years, this location is not able to stand on its own,” the store announced on its Facebook page.
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“We’ve been challenged by many circumstances outside of our control, and we have tried everything we can to make it work. After much careful consideration we believe the only path forward is to close the Caldwell location.”
Owner Bruce DeLaney told the local publication the shop will have one last closing sale in July before the retailer ultimately shutters for good.
That’s perhaps one silver lining for loyal customers though – all books could face significant markdowns as the store looks to clear out its inventory.
“We have a lot of regulars here,” DeLaney said, per the Statesman. “There’s gonna be some tears, on our part and possibly on their part as well.
The closure occurred as downtown Caldwell is experiencing lower foot traffic and a decrease in in-person shopping interest.
Rediscovered Books hasn’t yet indicated when the store will have its last day, but shoppers are already mourning for the upcoming departure.
The shop was also instrumental in opposing the book bans enacted by several Idaho school boards.
When the Nampa school board axed 23 books from its library lineup, Rediscovered Books set up a display of every single book in question.
It also offered resources for how customers could fight book bans themselves.
In its 17 years of business, Rediscovered Books saw other book store competitors flounder, and that’s why the original store in Boise expanded to open a new unit in Caldwell.
The Caldwell location only had one year in operation before the pandemic hit and in-person shopping in many ways was changed forever.
Even with additional advertising and adjusted store hours, the Caldwell store never secured the sales it needed to stick around long term.
“You make decisions when you’re in business with two things,” DeLaney told the Statesman. “You make decisions with your head, you make decisions with your heart. And the numbers of the Caldwell location just don’t add up.”
The affected employees have the option to work in the two other Boise locations, DeLaney said.
“We believe that Caldwell deserves a bookstore like ours,” the store wrote on Facebook. “However, our belief is not enough to create a reality in which we can continue as we have.”
As the shop prepares to say its goodbyes, the store owners said on social media that they plan to host pop-up shops as well as book and wine events in Caldwell in the months to come.
“We will still find ways to stay connected with you, and when the time is right, we hope to come back,” the store wrote on Facebook.
SHOPPERS’ HEARTBREAK
The news had many shoppers in a state of heartbreak as they said farewell to the beloved book store.
“Very sad to hear this news. Please know that for those that became familiar with your store over the last four years, we appreciate the heart and soul you poured into its success,” a shopper wrote on the company’s Facebook page.
Some felt the rise of e-commerce has made it so some shoppers forget just how important a brick and mortar bookstore can be.
“You tried,” a shopper wrote on the platform. “Competing with the online seller is a tough job and people have forgotten what an asset the local bookstore is in comparison. Hopefully, Caldwell will see the error of its ways and welcome you back.”
“That’s too bad, but gotta do what works for the business,” another fan of the bookstore wrote. “It was a great location and I’m glad you tried it out. Hope your next venture doesn’t have to deal with any world wide cataclysms.”
A LARGER TREND
Rediscovered Books’ demise marks a larger trend occurring across the country.
Both mom and pop stores and massive chains alike have struggled to retain the profits they had in previous decades.
The Wegmans location in Natick, Massachusetts will be closing this year, alongside hundreds of other retailers. The company has not set a time for the closure.
Another store, Giant Eagle announced its West Newton, Pennsylvania, store closure on June 23.
And two Natural Grocers locations in Dallas, Texas, are slated to close on June 27.
As stores attempt to work their way out of diminishing sales, many have had to restructure their entire businesses.
Party City and Tuesday Morning filed for bankruptcy and plan to close stores all across the country.
Meanwhile, David’s Bridal also is preparing to shutter its 300 stores as shoppers look for more affordable alternatives to wedding dress shopping.
And despite securing a buyer for its ailing business, Bed Bath & Beyond is closing all its storefronts this summer.
Wawa is also shutting down its seventh store in three years.
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