Waldenbooks to close store at Biltmore Square Mall

Another blow to the Biltmore Square Mall. Press release here:

As part of Borders Group's ongoing strategy to right-size its Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment and emerge with a smaller, more profitable mall chain in fiscal 2010, the retailer will close approximately 200 mall stores in January, leaving approximately 130 mall-based locations open. A list of mall stores expected to close is included in this news release and has been posted at www.borders.com/waldenstorelist.

The list is not final and is subject to change pending finalization of agreements over the coming weeks. Importantly, today's announcement regarding the mall business does not include Borders superstores or the company's seasonal mall kiosk business, which includes over 500 Day by Day Calendar Co. units, among other mall-based retail concepts.

 Store closing list here.

Comments

[Just saying]

What is the deal with the doomed mall. It has a great location but the slum lords that own it don't see the big picture. Upscale Upscale Upscale. Yeah Yeah I know you locals can't relate and hate growth and prosperity but if we get an upscale mall it will provide jobs to all you folk that live locally.

Biltmore Park Town Square has slapped everyone in the face by being choosy about picking tenants and it will pay off and already is.

Biltmore Square Mall has such potential and it's a shame it allows some of the tenants is does.

[Selection]

Has nothing to do with mall. Waldenbooks is a microscopic store with minimal inventory. Can't compete with B&N and BAM. Surprised they lasted as long as they did. Not competitive. Easier to close than fix.

[bill]

there is a bookstore in that hole? wow. never knew that

[No One In Particular]

I remember going to this mall when it first opened and I remember it being pretty busy sometimes, especially right around Christmas time. I don't think it ever had all of the store spaces filled though. Seems like there were always a couple down on the end near where Belk's is now that no one ever rented.

I can't understand why it never took off. It had a lot of the same stores that the Asheville mall had, but was much easier to get to for a lot of people in the area. For one thing, you didn't have to navigate the mess that is Tunnel Road.

It's only a matter of time now, I guess. Everything is deserting the mall, and there's not really anything left after Waldenbook's leaves besides a Radio Shack, Hallmark, and Belk's. How long will it be before they close up shop too?

[Been There]

I wrote The Citizen-Times this, and I will repeat it.

Doze the mall, put up a Civic Center on the ashes of Biltmore Square Mall.

Interstate access, plenty of support services.

Pull from Hendersonville, Brevard, Saluda and Asheville. Maybe even Greenville.

But that makes too much sense.

[Just saying]

Been There: That is the smartest solution we have seen yet. Just remember the city would like to be forward thinking but the voters sometimes are not.

[weavervilleman]

I remembered when richard simmons came and performed there back in the 90s.