Borders in Los Gatos to Close

has announced it has filed for bankruptcy and will be closing the Los Gatos store.

The news was made on the company's website homepage. The brief statement said that as part of the bankruptcy protection plan, Borders would close approximately 200 superstores nationwide.

The Los Gatos store, located at , 50 University Ave., Ste 280, was on the list of sites that will be closed, including the Santana Row, Santa Cruz and Westfield Shoppingtown Oakridge stores.

Locals expressed sadness at the news, especially because the store has had book signings and other community events. Many remembered standing in line to get the latest Harry Potter book at midnight.

"We're obviously disappointed about the likely closure of Borders, but it's not surprising given current economic conditions," said Town Manager Greg Larson. "Fortunately, downtown Los Gatos is a very strong market, and other vacancies have been quickly re-leased."

Longtime Los Gatos resident Alastair Dallas, former Community Services Commission chairman and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos, said he would miss browsing in the bookstore with his family.

He said the store was supportive of his book, Los Gatos Observed, which is now out of print. "Other national chains did not authorize their stores to buy local interest books, but Borders did, and they featured it just inside the front door Christmas 1999," Dallas said.

"I know other local authors, such as Mary Tomasi, who held book signings there, and I've enjoyed live music in their cafe," he added. "Instead of being just a chain store, our Borders has always made itself part of the Los Gatos community. I'm sad to see them go." 

The stores are expected to close by the end of April, according to the company's website. The list is not final.

The business will not accept media inquiries, and the company's media line asks reporters to refrain from contacting the individual stores affected. The line also said the bookstore will not accept interview requests with company executives.