Waldenbooks stores were officially discontinued when their parent company, Borders Group, filed for liquidation in 2011, shutting down all remaining locations as part of a larger financial collapse, a process that began with downsizing and rebranding many stores years earlier as Borders struggled with competition and high mall rents.

History & Downfall

Origins: Founded in 1933 as a book rental library, Waldenbooks became a major mall-based bookstore chain.

Acquisitions: Kmart acquired Waldenbooks in 1984, later also purchasing Borders.

Merger: Borders and Waldenbooks were combined as a subsidiary of the Borders Group, which eventually emerged as its own entity.

Decline: Facing intense competition from online retailers and struggling with mall leases, Borders began closing Waldenbooks stores in the late 2000s, rebranding some as Borders Express.

Liquidation: With Borders Group filing for bankruptcy in July 2011, all remaining Waldenbooks stores were liquidated and closed, marking the end of the chain.

Why They Disappeared

Competition: The rise of e-commerce and large chains like Barnes & Noble put pressure on mall bookstores.

High Costs: Expensive mall rents and operating costs were significant factors in their demise, according to this Facebook post.

Parent Company Failure: The ultimate reason for Waldenbooks' closure was the bankruptcy and liquidation of its parent company, Borders Group.