Bargain Bookstore Moves Into Borders Space

As Federal Realty and LA Fitness continue to present their case before the Lower Merion Zoning Hearing Board, another business has moved into the space the gym hopes to eventually occupy. Bargain Book Warehouse plans to open as soon as early next week in the Wynnewood Shopping Center's old Borders building, said co-manager Arturo Garcia.

The bargain bookstore, which will offer both new releases and older books, will eventually occupy both floors of the old Borders building. But for the moment, as Spirit Halloween finishes moving out, Bargain Books will open just the second floor, Garcia said.

The building has attracted several short-term tenants since the Borders chain closed last year: first a Halloween store, then a discount furniture outlet, then most recently, another Halloween store, Spirit Halloween.

Federal Realty, the owner of Wynnewood Shopping Center, could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday to confirm the details of Bargain Book Warehouse's lease agreement.  Garcia said that while he isn't sure of the details of the agreement, the bookstore plans to remain in Wynnewood for at least six months.

Federal Realty is still in the process of pursuing the possibility of LA Fitness as a long-term tenant for the space. The continuation of a zoning hearing board meeting, originally scheduled for Thursday night, was postponed at the mutual request of Federal Realty and Wynnewood and Shortridge Civic Associations, according to Zoning Officer Michael Wylie.

The civic associations have objected to certain aspects of the gym's plans for the center, particularly the gym's request to operate a 24/7 facility if deemed financially beneficial. The associations have been in discussions with Federal Realty in the past several months, according to Shortridge Civic Association President Joan Hindin.

Bargain Books will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. It is located at 50 E Wynnewood Rd. in the Wynnewood Shopping Center.