DANVERS — Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Borders Group said it will close approximately 200 mall stores nationwide after the holidays in January, including the Waldenbooks in the Liberty Tree Mall.
The Waldenbooks is adjacent to the food court.
The move means the loss of 1,500 positions nationwide, most of which are part-time jobs. That works out to an average of 7.5 positions per store. The company will try to place "qualified individuals" in other positions within Borders Group while "displaced employees will receive severance," the company said Thursday.
The company will have 130 mall-based locations after the closings. Superstores and seasonal mall kiosks are not included in the reductions.
In all, five bookstores, four Waldenbooks and a Borders Express, are closing in malls in Massachusetts.
"Store closings and openings are simply a component of our business cycle," said Matt Bourassa, assistant general manager of the Liberty Tree Mall, in a prepared statement. "We, like everyone else, are coping with the effects and impact of a very challenging economy and, from our perspective, are successfully navigating an extremely dynamic business environment.
"The closing of Waldenbooks is the decision of the store's parent company to close a number of its locations, and is not a reflection of the performance of our shopping center. We have recently added some exciting tenants to Liberty Tree Mall, such as Pet Express and the 'Mall Tots' Play Area, and are confident we will add more new tenants that add to our diverse retailer mix and will be well-received by our shoppers."
Borders said as long as the stores remain open, they will honor previously purchased gift cards. People who joined the Borders Rewards customer loyalty program at the Liberty Tree Mall location will see no change in their status.
Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by e-mail at eforman@salemnews.com.
