For book lovers, the recent news of Borders filing for bankruptcy was disheartening. Along with the filing came the announcement that the chain plans to close roughly 30 percent of its stores, though which locations will close has not yet been finalized.
Store closures are never pleasant, but they often bring a practical opportunity: liquidation sales. When a retailer shuts down, it typically needs to clear out both inventory and store fixtures — everything from shelving and display racks to chairs and side tables. For shoppers and bargain hunters, these sales can be an excellent source of affordable furnishings and useful items.
You may not be aiming to design your home in “bookstore chic,” but going-out-of-business sales can yield pieces that fill real needs in your home, such as storage, display solutions, or comfortable seating.
Timing matters. Our best tip is to arrive as early as possible. If you buy a large fixture or piece of furniture early in the liquidation process, staff will usually mark it as sold and hold it for you until you can collect it. If you wait until later, the best items are often already gone.
Here are common items you can expect to find at a bookstore liquidation, especially at a larger chain like Borders:
- Various shelving units in multiple heights and sizes, suitable for books, records, or general storage.
- Newsstand and magazine display racks that can be repurposed for magazines, brochures, or craft supplies.
- Armchairs and side tables, ideal for reading nooks or casual seating areas.
- Wire racks used for calendars, postcards, or hanging merchandise, useful for organizing or displaying small items.
- Small tabletop shelving units that work well on desks, in entryways, or on countertops.
Because the store is closing and needs to liquidate quickly, prices are typically steeply reduced, making these sales a good place to find bargains on solid, functional pieces.
Have you ever bought something at a going-out-of-business sale? How did you incorporate it into your home?
photo: Watt Dabney