Roanoke Books-A-Million to close in April
Books-A-Million at Crossroads Mall will close April 13. Photo by Amanda Codispoti
Roanoke’s Book-A-Million store will close April 13, one of the store managers said.
The closure of the store at Crossroads Mall leaves the area with just one big-box book seller, Barnes and Noble, although several small, locally owned bookstores are still in business.
One of the store’s managers, Donny Horn, said he didn’t know why the company decided to close the Roanoke store. A Books-A-Million spokesperson could not be reached over the weekend.
A look at the company’s financials show that Books-A-Million reported a net loss of $2.8 million in the third quarter that ended on Oct. 27. The net loss was down from about $4 million the same time period a year earlier. More current financials are not available.
Merchandise at the Roanoke store is already marked down. Books and magazines are 20 percent off, general merchandise is 30 percent off, and stationary and greeting cards are 50 percent off. The discounts will get deeper as the closing date nears.
The Roanoke store employs about 20 people, Horn said.
The store’s closure comes about a year and a half after the Blacksburg Books-A-Million closed at First & Main shopping center.
March 11, 2013 - 12:30 PM
When I lived in that neighborhood, the opening of that store was an exciting event — at that time I don’t believe Roanoke had ever seen a bookstore that large — so in a way I’m sorry to see this. I think, though, that they’ve been in trouble ever since B&N showed up, and especially since the second B&N opened at Valley View, so I’m not surprised.
I honestly didn’t know that there was a Books-a-Million in Roanoke
Sorry to see it close. They always had great buys on the back “bargain tables”, esp. for history/biography. Also a lot of fiction.
anyone heard any more about Bonefish coming to the area???
I visited the store today to check out all of the “discounts” that are promoting on their closing of the Roanoke store. I didn’t see anything I would buy so unless
they bring in new stuff from the other “profitable” stores then I may return. Such a waste of time in my opinion. Rest in Peace Books A Million.
Have never set foot in that store…
Their religion and philosophy section was pretty much completely Christian. I know we’re in the Bible Belt here but a bookstore is supposed to be a place where you go to broaden your mind with new ideas and stories and references etc.
Paging JC Penney & Best Buy…
Books-A-Million had the best magazine selection in Roanoke. There were a couple of music publications I picked up there from time to time that I don’t ever see in Barnes & Noble.
But it can also be a beast getting back out of the parking lot if you are going south (toward Hershberger) on Rutgers.
Books a Million is a wierd place. Not very appealing, not at all like Borders or Barnes + Noble. Seems like it was stuck somewhere between a flea market and a garage sale compared to their peers. The hard sell to join their “club” was just down right tacky, and my family opted to never go back.
I worked at Books-a-Million in Christiansburg for over a year some years back. I have never seen a company so poorly run at the regional level. I felt sorry for the people who were in management at the store level. Obviously they did, too, because no one stayed more than a few months in the management positions.
The stories I could tell of incompetence would make anyone who knows anything about retail shudder.
I can’t believe that company lasted this long.
I, personally, hate to see them go out of business. It bothers me to see big box stores come into an area and rout out local businesses. The store stocked ample material and was a calm and inviting atmosphere.
Books a Million is a big box store. It’s a chain, not a local operation.
Hey Amanda!! I suggest a article seeking reader “imput”. The title should be the top 10 retail stores (merchants) most likely to close in the next 90 (60) (30) days. Seems like you have a new one every week. Sad commentary on the state of our union.
Did I see a “Going Out of Business” sign on the Thompson’s Mens Store on East Masin Street in Salem?
*Main Street
@provolone: Yes you did. I talked to the owner Monday for this weekend’s column. They will close ad soon as they sell their inventory.
I will miss Books-A-Million because of its greeting card selection. It’s close to my house and whenever I needed a greeting card I could always swing by there and find great ones. But greeting cards are not enough to keep a huge book store open, obviously.
That’s sad about Thompson’s. My dad has been shopping there for decades. He is 6’5″ and big so it’s always been hard for him to find dress clothes in regular mens’ stores. Where else can big and tall guys shop around here?
Amanda – have you heard anything about what might be going into the space that Harvey’s dry cleaners is vacating on Memorial in Grandin Village?
I saw a large for lease banner in The Forum over the Graphics Etc location. I was just passing by and couldn’t tell if Graphics Etc has gone out of business or if the lease sign was just for The Forum in general. Is Graphics Etc still open? Thank you.
@Lindsey Nair: Thompson’s specialized in fitting big and tall men, and has quite a following. I asked the owner if there was anywhere else in town for those customers, and he said all the other stores sent their big and tall customers to him. If anyone knows of other men’s clothing stores that can fit big and tall sizes please let us know.
I like shopping at BAM, but it’s always so dirty looking (outside and in) – very uninviting.
@Robert: I knew Harvey’s closed last weekend, but haven’t heard what’s going in there. I will try to find out!
@newstart: Graphics Etc. is closed while it moves to a new space in Southwest Plaza (corner of Grandin and Electric).
Casual Male at Valley View is a big and tall store. Their internet site is also excellent.
Unfortunately online: King Size Direct & Wide Shoes
Big and Tall?
Isn’t there a shop at Valley View, in the section between Shaker’s and Olive Garden? Catherine’s, maybe?
I never really paid attention. That’s one place that is easy to overlook, if you don’t have a need for the specialty.
Sad to hear another local business going under.
Homegoods Homegoods please!!
I am not sure where to post this question on your Storefront blog. I was riding past Virginia Western Community College on March 17th and noticed Va Western college is is ripping down an entire building or adding to it. It is the building on the same side as the very large parking lot…I remember they built this building like 10 yrs a go and now they are ripping it down . It is on the opposite side of the street where they are building the new state of the art science and math building.
Also, what kind of specs are needed for a Dave and Busters to come to Rke?
@Hans: I’ve emailed the media contact at Virginia Western with your question. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear back.
As for Dave and Busters, I don’t have an answer for you, but I think I know where to find one. Will get back to you on that, too.
@Hans: Josh Meyer, spokesman at VWCC, said this in an email:
That was/is our Student Center. It is being completely renovated. The shell of the building will stay but will be expanded out and a third floor will be added. It will very much match the look of the Center for Science and Health Professions. It will have many great additions for students to enjoy. We anticipate it being open for student use in Fall 2014.
Thank you Amanda! Wow you are very quick to bring in the answers. The new addition to the Virginia Western Student Center is going to look really great. It will 2 modern looking buildings flanking the Colonial Ave. I graduated from Va Western yrs back and the campus keeps growing.
I wonder what business will open up at the Books A Million Site? A friend of mine mentioned a Dave and Busters would be nice. Yet, Dave and Busters is normally connected to a a very busy shopping mall.
I think it is time for Roanoke to get a Cheese Cake Factory…
I know what should go there. It should be subdivided to a Trader Joe’s, Ikea, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Cheese Cake Factory, Chilis and maybe we can squeeze in Whole Foods, and HarrisTeeter. We can put the Dave & Busters on top of the building – Imagine it in the Summer!
But being serious – I doubt Dave & Busters. Nearest Locations to us is either Richmond, DC or Charlotte. If Greensboro/Winston-Salem or Raleigh don’t have one.. then we won’t see one in this area.
Now.. If they re-do the parking lot, and the give the building a facelift, subdivided it.. a Trader Joe’s would be a nice fit due to the access it has from several main roads. But that shopping area has a lot of empty storefronts! Look at the sections next to OfficeMax! From what I have heard they like to go into “Older shopping centers” – Like the one in McLean off Chain Bridge Road (a mile or so from Tyson’s Corner)
I think the only building that will fill quick is the Haverty’s at Valley View.
I am willing to bet the income of the readers of this blog is higher than the average for the area and we shop at these locations when away from town we will never see most of these in our area as much as it hurts to admit!
But I could see something like west elm or Pottery Barn do well in the Haverty’s (Holdren’s) building.
Pottery Barn is a pipe dream. Home Goods would fit nicely.
Scott you are correct on a few things. If Greensboro or Winston Salem does not have some of the stores you mentioned, you know Roanoke will not get them first. Haverty’s store will fill up quickly. Cross Road Mall area is not really a mall anymore. Vallery View Mall may not be large enough for a Cheese Cake Factory in my opinion….I like Dave and Busters, the one in Charlotte/Concord Mills has a Bowling Alley….
We do have Tanglewood Mall, which is half empty and could benefit from a makeover. What is holding Tanglewood Mall back? With Slate Hill, South Roanoke, Cave Springs, Hunting Hills, and Roanoke county, Tanglewood Mall has the ability to be a great mall, even if it is not a large mall. Does anyone agree or disagree?
@Hans: I emailed John Nielsen, a commercial real estate agent with Thalhimer. He’s done some work in the past with Dave and Busters in other markets. He said Roanoke doesn’t fit the demographics the company is looking for.
Thanks Amanda for checking on Dave and Busters. Now we know the fate of Dave and Busters in the Roanoke area for a while.
Agree Hans. Tanglewood is such a waste now. It is in the best demographics around town and should be thriving with upscale stores like Pottery Barn, Bananna Republic, H&M, Dillards. The problem is their management and owners. If they were owned buy CBL as is Valley View they would be thriving. Maybe they should keep main anchores and wreck the rest of it down and make a outdoor center full of outlet stores. I do not know what the answer is but for years it has been dead! You would think that someone would try to fill it or buy it and wreck it down and turn it into something good. Oh well maybe in the next decade. Get rid of current management, leasing agents, owners and get someone in their that can do something- really turn it around. Roanoke Co must not care about wasting millions on an empty lost cause.
I agree with you Chris on Tanglewood needing new management. I have this gut feeling that when Slate Hill opens up with all the new upscale living, hotel, office spaces and restaurant, this is when the Tanglewood area will grow. Possibly new stores will be more interested in Tanglewood. Yet, Slate Hill will be the draw of more people to the 419 area. I feel that Slant Hill will be the new attraction for this side of town, because Tanglewood Mall is not that much of an attraction anymore. Tanglewood is a gold mine for the rest management.
Hans. I had not thought about South Peak possibily helping Tanglewood. Maybe that will help lure more high income stores to the mall. Heck any store is better them empty storefronts. At this point it can’t but help. Hope you therory is right man.
Duck and cover! You mentioned South Peak
I checked out South Peak’s mater plan on the site and it seems it will be a very upscale luxery developement…I counted 15 buildings on the site the master plan site, minuse custome built homes..
South Peak is a development community that is simply what it sounds like: a community. Though it includes residential condominiums, custom-built homes, office buildings, retail shopping and restaurants, and a hotel
Lets hope the shopping and restaurant materalize faster then the condos have done. Any word on what restaurant or stores may come??
I have no idea of what restaurants or stores to open in South Peak, but I’m sure Amand, in time, will find out. South Peak is slow to get going. Yet, it is on it’s way.
@Chris, Hans: The South Peak developer has said they will finish the condos and hotel before working on the commercial part of the project, so it may be awhile before we see anything like stores or restaurants up there.
Thanks Amanda!
You have to remember, retailers are becoming slower to enter any new markets and ours is probably worst than most. Half of the city’s resident have less than $30K/yr income. We had a plethora of closings. Best Buy’s building was listed on commercial real estate sites for sale months ago. Th listing gives some insights to the retail overhead these day. It has Best Buy’s annual lease cost just for the land at $500K a year, and the owner wants another $6mil for the building.The Christiansburg/Blacksburg corridor has seen most of their upscale retailers move away. The recent plan to level a perfectly good school at Round Hill to create space for another hotel, albeit Hilton, only reflects the agregious short-sightedness of this city council. There is already more retail space in circulation between Valley View and Town Square than is necessary judging by the long-term vacancies at both. There has to be enough folks of means to support the Saks, Abercrombies, and Lord and Taylors of the world, and believe it or not, this ain’t Roanoke. .
@the movie kid: Is this the listing you saw? There are several listings online for the Best Buy property, including at least one to sublease 10,000 square-feet of the store, as they, like other retailers, seek to downsize.
I sent an email to a commercial real estate agent in the area to see if he could give us the latest on that property.
I’m sorry to see Books-A-Million go. The sign was already being removed from the building this morning. I liked the selection on particular subjects, the prices, and the magazine variety, but most of all I liked the people, they did a great job. I did not; however, think very highly of BAM at the inc level. I’ll miss that place, the people, and hope they all do well.
I will miss books a million, the store was easily accessed ( no mall traffic) and they had a very well stocked history and biography section as well as children’s section. If they did not have something I wanted they were happy to order it for me, very pleasant staff.
Of course a store will be happy to order something for you if they don’t have it in stock… it means they don’t have to stock items that don’t sell right away, and when you have them order something for you, they know you’re buying it from them. What smart consumers have figured out is that you can order it yourself online and have it shipped directly to your home. Some stores do offer ship-to-home as well (like Barnes & Noble), but it’s so easy to shop online, you don’t really need anyone at the store to order it for you. I’ll grant you that many stores offer free shipping if you pick it up at the store, but that’s only because they get regular shipments anyway, and are hoping you’ll pick up even more stuff when you come back to pick up your order. To me, it’s just not worth saving a few bucks on shipping if I have to spend the gas & time to stop by the store again after I’ve already wasted a trip because they didn’t already have it. For that matter, you can usually eliminate the wasted trip in the first place because many retailers websites can tell you if the store has the item in stock or not.
I know it paints a bleak picture in terms of local jobs, etc. but there is very little reason to shop at brick-and-mortar stores anymore. The only remaining appeal to me is instant gratification and being able to examine the condition of an item before I commit to buying it. I’m not the kind of person to “showroom” unless the in-store item is too expensive. Most of the time it’s worth a few extra bucks to walk out with the item that day instead of having to check my mailbox. I’ll admit that finding a package in my mailbox is pretty sweet, though.
Has anyone heard any updates lately as to any proposed plans for the old Books-A-Million building in Roanoke?
@Fish: Last I checked there was some interest in the building but no solid plans. I will check in with the leasing agent to see if there have been any developments.
@Fish: I talked with Jake Copty of Thalhimer – he is handling the leasing of the Books A Million building. He told me that it has not been leased, but that he is in talks with several prospects.
Thanks Amanda!