Office supply stores may not feel like a true necessity, especially with the ease of online shopping. But there are times when we head to these stores in a pinch—who else has had to run out when the printer is suddenly out of ink, or refusing to work without a color cartridge? Regardless of the urgency, it's just nice to have the option to browse at an office supply store if you see fit. But now, two big names in the industry—Staples and Office Depot—confirmed that they're planning to close more brick-and-mortar locations, with the first store shuttering today. Read on to find out if your local store is affected.
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Staples is closing a location today.
iStockThe first store to go is a Staples located at the Westgate Plaza in Westfield, Massachusetts, per MassLive.com. The store, at 273B E. Main St., will see its final day today, Oct. 6. According to MassLive.com, a sign at the store is directing customers to a nearby Staples location at 1129 Riverdale St. in West Springfield.
Employees told MassLive.com that Staples lost its lease at the Westgate Plaza, but also confirmed that jobs were offered to them at other Staples locations.
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Two more Staples stores are closing next month.
iStock / WillowpixIn November, Staples is closing two additional stores, one in Seattle, and another in Birmingham, Alabama. Both locations are closing on Nov. 17.
The manager of the Birmingham store, Lyndsey Mitchell, confirmed the closure to the Birmingham Business Journal, noting that the store, located at 4614 US-280 East, is looking to transfer current employees.
The Seattle Staples, located in Westwood Village, is closing because property owner, ShopCore, chose not to renew the lease, store employees told WestsideSeattle.
Employees added that the Westwood Village store was profitable and bringing in steady business, though theft was also an issue. Similar to other closing Staples stores, 15 employees are being given the option to transfer, per WestsideSeattle.
Best Life reached out to Staples for comment on the closures, and will update the story with its response.
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Office Depot is shuttering two stores in Illinois.
Trever Gearhart / ShutterstockOffice Depot is also shutting down two stores next month, both in Illinois.
According to the Belleville News Democrat, the Office Depot at 303 E. Homer Adams Parkway in Alton, Illinois, will see its final day in business on Nov. 11. Employees confirmed the closure to the outlet, but weren't able to provide a reason as to why.
Also closing is an Office Depot in Chicago's Hyde Park Shopping Center, located at 5420 S. Lake Park. Ave.
“We’ll wind down operations at this location, and it would just be simply for anyone picking up remaining fixtures and stuff like that, so it won’t be open to the public after that date,” interim manager Stephen S. told the Hyde Park Herald. This store will also have its final day in business on Nov. 11.
“It’s been here for quite a while, so there’s a strong tie for a lot of customers in the area,” Stephen told the outlet, noting that shoppers were particularly disappointed. “The news is obviously kind of a shock to everyone … Hyde Park customers [say the area] is really underserved.”
In response to the closure of the Hyde Park store, Office Depot told the Hyde Park Herald that the decision was made to "optimize its retail footprint," which is part of a nationwide plan as the company actively moves away from its brick-and-mortar stores.
Best Life reached out to Office Depot for comment, and will update the story when we hear back.
These aren't the first office supply closures in 2023.
refrina / ShutterstockThe latest slew of closures aren't the first for 2023, as Staples and Office Depot shut down a handful of stores in the winter and spring.
Staples shuttered a store on Staten Island in New York on April 14, Best Life previously reported, while Office Depot axed locations in Jacksonville, Florida (on Feb. 4) and Orlando, Florida (on March 2).
Similar to the response provided regarding the Office Depot in Chicago, a company spokesperson attributed the Orlando closure to Office Depot's attempts to "optimize its retail footprint."
