READERS are rushing to pick up $2 books after Barnes & Noble confirmed a location will be shuttered for good.
The retail chain announced its Washington DC location at Catholic University will be closing on May 23.
The abrupt Barnes & Noble closure was announced with signpostings urging customers to take advantage of the sale, local news site PoPville first reported.
In a statement, the company said all general reading books can be purchased for just $2.
Over 1,000 books are still left in several sections, including fiction, non-fiction, biography, romance, and more.
Barnes & Noble said it would leave the location and the university permanently.
“A new vendor will run this store location but with clothing only, no books,” the brand said in the statement.
Signs inside the retailer show any book marked with a red dot can be purchased for $2.
Bookworms have voiced their excitement at the sale and said in social media posts they are racing to enjoy the savings.
“Got 16 books for $33 saved $409,” one person said on X.
Another person said many of the best titles had been taken, but added that she managed to secure a few good bargains.
DOWNTURN FOR THE BOOKSELLER
This year, Barnes & Noble has seen several closures throughout the US.
In January, a beloved New York City location shuttered after a landlord decided to “redevelop” the building.
“It has been our honor and privilege to be your bookseller here in Tribeca for the last 16 years,” the location announced in a letter to customers.
And in March, an outlet in Merced, California that had been operating for 20 years suddenly closed its doors.
The mayor of the town said he was saddened to see the brand go as local business continues to thrive.
At least 1,000 dollar stores to close, CEO says
Dollar Tree, the parent company of Family Dollar, revealed it would close around 1,000 stores in the coming years.
The company announced in March that it will shutter the stores after the discount retailer it acquired nearly a decade ago plummeted in value.
Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year.
This will be followed by the shuttering of 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores over the next several years.
The chain of discount variety stores has also indicated that sales are being affected by the cost-of-living crisis and inflation.
But USA Today added that Dollar Tree has also been rocked by reduced government benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
This has left families struggling to juggle finances, with as much as $250 less per month.
“I think businesses overall in Merced are doing well,” Mayor Matthew Serratto said.
“At the same time, you hate to lose a business like this in the community.”
STORE CLOSURES
Other retailers have announced impending closures as the retail apocalypse takes its toll.
The CEO of Dollar Tree made the difficult announcement that around 1,000 stores would close in the coming years.
Around 600 Family Dollar locations are expected to shutter in the first half of this year.
The shocking announcement has left families wondering where they will get fairly priced essentials.
Low-income residents in Buffalo, New York said they rely on Family Dollar for non-grocery-related items.
“Where are we going to shop now?” one person told NBC affiliate WGRZ.
Another person said, “We’re running out of options.”
Meanwhile, some Dollar Tree customers have called for a change in the store’s name after price hikes.