The lease on The Bookshop of Chapel Hill at 400 West Franklin Street runs out on July 31, but this year the owner won’t be renewing.
The landlord, Bolin Creek Books, has put the building on the market for 1.6 million dollars.
Chapel Hill Comics is also closing its doors at the end of March.
Meg McGurk is the executive director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. She said The Bookshop is closing for various reasons, but not because of lost business.
“Certainly The Bookshop had a very healthy online business,” she said. “It wasn’t for a lack of business that they’re closing, there’s some other factors that are happening for them, and I’m not sure about Chapel Hill comics, I can’t speak to their reasoning.”
Chapel Hill Comics released a statement on its website Friday that didn’t provide a reason for its closing, but did thank its customers, partnering businesses and staff. It also said the store will no longer be accepting graphic novels or comics for cash or credit, and that it will discontinue ordering new comics in the coming weeks.
McGurk said it’s sad to lose two old and loved stores from Franklin Street.
“I think it is a loss for many of us who identify with those businesses and love them and I’m a huge fan and customer of both those businesses,” she said. “And certainly, you know, we like bookshops. They feel good. They give us that identity.”
There’s no word on what businesses will be taking over the soon-to-be-vacant spaces.
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