Borders closing stores in RI & Mass

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Borders announced on Monday that they will be closing all of its 399 stores as early as Friday, including all locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Customers are being urged to cash in their gift cards now or never - as the bookstore chain prepares to close after 40 years in business.

As word spread that the chain was planning to close its doors, customers shuffled in and out of the Garden City location on Tuesday.

The store issued the following statement to Eyewitness News regarding the closure.

"For over two decades, Borders Books has been a fixture in the Garden City Center retail community. The store was always strong and survived the initial round of store closings in March 2011. It seems technology innovations in an ever changing world severely impacted the chain and, looking forward, will shape any book store of the future.

While we are saddened that the Borders chain is closing, The Wilder Companies remains committed to the ongoing redevelopment of Garden City Center. We will continue keeping the shopping center experience contemporary and building on the recent additions of Anthropologie, Pinkberry, Studio B, and the relocation/expansion of Destination Maternity. We look forward to announcing additional new retailers to the shopping center."

"It's all about change and whether you can adapt to it. I mean, it's about change and whether you like it or not, it's happening," customer Rick Cionci said.

The closure of the stores, including three in Rhode Island, will certainly hurt malls across the country as well as thousands of workers.

Erin Blackman a worker at the Garden City location is not worried.

"I always bounce back. I'm pretty tough broad. I think I'll make it through," she said.

Borders says the closures could begin nationally as early as Friday.

The Providence Place mall will also be affected by the closure of Borders as well.

“This is a decision made at the corporate level of Borders and is not a reflection of the respective mall’s performance. It’s sad to see any retailer close, but at the same time we see this as another opportunity to continue providing our shoppers with the best in retail and entertainment. It’s too soon to determine what exactly will become of this space, but I can tell you that we’re always in talks with retailers to open shops," a spokesperson said in a statement to Eyewitness News on Tuesday.