Borders Group says it will close its Waldenbooks in the Prince of Orange Mall by the end of the month. But some readers say they'll fight to keep the store.

The Walden Book Company, a subsidiary of Borders Group, will close its Waldenbooks store here Jan. 24 as part of a two-year corporate strategic plan. The Orangeburg store is the company's only location in The Times and Democrat Region.

"The store closure is part of our company's previously announced initiative to close under-performing stores," Borders Group spokesperson Bonnie Schmick said. "We are closing under-performing stores in the country that have not been meeting our sales expectations."

Schmick said the closure is the result of a business decision and is not a negative statement on the mall or the store's employees. The Orangeburg store employs about 10 to 20.

In addition to the Orangeburg Waldenbooks, the company is closing its Columbia Mall location.

The Orangeburg closure does not sit well with book lovers who say the store is the only large book retailer within reasonable driving distance

"It is a real tragedy," says Lori Carter, an avid reader who thinks the closure will also impact readers in Bamberg and Calhoun counties.

"We need a bookstore. ... For as far back as I remember, I have been going there. They are a major service not only to Orangeburg, but for Calhoun and Bamberg counties," she said.

Carter said she found out about the closure this weekend. Since then, she has been calling friends and handing out information to random shoppers at the store in an effort to stop the closure.

"We need to inspire our children to read," Carter said. "Waldenbooks has every possible selection and a variety of topics. It inspires children to read, dream and aspire. We cannot lose our source of books."

Orangeburg resident Rita Tecza said she has been shopping at the Prince of Orange Waldenbooks for at least the past 20 years. Tecza said she would take her granddaughter, Kayla, when she was just a little baby to pick out books.

Today, the 18-year-old is a "voracious" reader, just like grandma, Tecza said.

"I am saddened and just shocked. ... It is appalling to me because a bookstore is such a vital part of life and how can the only one we have be leaving?" she said. "It leaves such a void. How is it going to be filled?"

While Schmick did not comment on the financial condition of the Prince of Orange store, Waldenbooks reported total sales for the holiday period were $161.7 million, a 16.4 percent decrease compared to the same period one year ago.

The Orangeburg closure is among 250 planned companywide. The restructuring will leave about 300 Waldenbooks stores open nationally.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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