Borders May Close Sooner As Shelves Are Picked Bare

Bookshelves, paint and even coffee filters are for sale at the  store at Waukegan and Lake Cook roads.

Depending on how fast those supplies run out, the store could close earlier than expected. 

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

On Friday, the store was selling almost everything under the roof. “Everything must go” signs were tapped to the windows and shoppers walked in to find 40-60 percent off sales and an almost bare and picked over second floor.

If customers weren't prowling for reading material, they picked through other items, which included bookshelves selling for $120, a stepping stool priced at $25, and even the coffee shop’s espresso machine tagged for $1,500. 

A Highland Park man was loading up on hardware products, paint and other knickknacks to sell at a flea market. But most people were at the store looking for great deals on more traditional items like books and music. 

“I’m here for the super-awesome bargains,” said Amy Richmond of Deerfield. “I probably won’t [buy the other products] but I’m open minded.”