Borders to Leave Dubuque, Other Book Stores Hang On

This week's announcement that Borders Books filed for bankruptcy came as a shock for some book lovers.

That company is closing stores all over the country, including its location in Dubuque.

Company officials blame the changing book industry and the economy for its drop in sales.

At the Borders in Dubuque, the sign on the door says "40 percent off", "everything must go" and "store closing." Inside the coffee shop has already gone out of business. Customers say they will do whatever they can to help book stores stay alive.

Customers showed up in droves, disheartened to learn their favorite store is in it's final chapter.

Customer Bob Esker said, "I buy magazines, I buy books and it's just a shame they are closing."

Across town, Sue Davis runs this small bookstore, River Lights Second Edition.

Davis said, "They love to come a browse the bookstore and then they go home and buy it on their nook and I want to say 'that's fine, if you buy it from us. "

The e-book would seem to be the archnemisis of a book store owner. Instead Davis is embracing the next chapter in the book world.

If you can't beat em, join em. So she sells e-books on her store's website.

Davis said, "we don't make a lot off of it. But also, there is no involvement, no overhead for us."

Still she says it's her job to make sure her customers feel taken care of.

Davis said, "yesterday one customer said "oh do you know about this book?" and I said,"no I haven't heard great things about that book, but read this because we know this is great." She's not going to get that online."

What's next in this book trend tale remains to be seen.

But Davis plans on staying right where she's at, end of story.

Another national book retailer, Books A Million, is offering to buy 30 Borders Stores, however the Dubuque Borders store is not one of those locations.