Waldenbooks in Rogue Valley Mall to close

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November 06, 2009

By Greg Stiles

Mail Tribune

Waldenbooks in the Rogue Valley Mall is on the Borders Group's list of stores it will close in January.

Borders Group said today it will shutter about 200 mall stores during fiscal 2010. However, the company added the list is subject to change.

Waldenbooks in Medford has operated on the second level of the mall for more than two decades, but lost much of its market share when Barnes & Noble Booksellers opened in March 1996.

The Medford store is one of two the chain is closing in Oregon. The other is in Albany.

The company said as long as the stores remain open, all will honor previously purchased gift cards, and gift cards can continue to be used in any Borders or Waldenbooks location or online at Borders.com. There will be no change in member status for customers who joined the Borders Rewards customer loyalty program at locations slated to close.

With the store closings in January, about 1,500 positions — primarily part-time jobs — will be eliminated across the U.S. Employees have been informed of the plan and efforts will be made to place qualified individuals in other positions within Borders Group. Displaced employees will receive severance.

Borders began shuttering stores earlier this decade. It closed 112 stores in fiscal 2008, and from fiscal 2001 through 2007, closed an average of 66 stores per year within the Waldenbooks Specialty Retail unit.

A local supervisor referred reporter questions to the corporate office.

Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail business@mailtribune.com.

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