Booklovers Flock to Borders for Liquidation Sales

Booklovers both mourned and celebrated Friday as Borders began its going-out-of-business sales at nearly 400 locations nationwide.

Locals filled the parking lot at the in Novi Town Center Friday afternoon as they stopped by the store to check out the deals. Merchandise is currently being sold for 10-40 percent off at the Novi store and at the in .

There was a long line at the Borders register at 2 p.m. Friday, and dozens of customers were browsing throughout the store. Customers were both sorry to see the store go and excited about some of the discounts. 

Betsy Grossnickle of White Lake went to Borders Friday to hit the sales. She also said she is sad to see the store close.

“There aren’t any other big bookstores close to us in White Lake, and we try to come down here a couple times a year,” she said.

She said the magazines were the best deals she saw in the store at 40 percent off.

“It was a good opportunity to buy some of the more expensive magazines,” she said.

Self-proclaimed booklover Anita Dey, a librarian from Saginaw, was also one of the shoppers Friday afternoon. She said she, too, is sad to see the store close. 

“I’ve been a Border patron for a long time…I hate to see it go, but it’s a sign of the times,” she said.

Dey was in town visiting Khaled Sabra of Farmington Hills, who said it was a shame that the store was closing.

“We come every now and then to browse—it’s a great thing to do,” he said. “I hope people try to open another small bookstore like this. Not everything should be online.”

The two left with a couple of bags, including some Michigan memorabilia.