Royal Oak Bookstore Barnes & Noble Bids Adieu To Downtown Location

ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - A steady stream of customers lined the aisles at the Barnes & Noble store in Royal Oak for the last day of book sales. With some things marked at up to 50-percent off, book fans like Theresa Beckerman stopped by to snap up the bargains.

"We know that there are other Barnes and Nobles' around but this is really close to where we live and it's sad. We are just really disappointed," said Beckerman.

The store, at Fifth Street and Main, has been busy since the store announced it will close for good on April 5 — unable to afford the pricey downtown rent.

Late last year, local software firm Vectorform announced it planned to move its headquarters to the book store's second floor. Some had been hoping, however, Barnes & Noble would remain open as a single-story shop.

The profits at Main Street location were not enough to cover the downtown Royal Oak rent.