Davis-Kidd is located in the Mall at Green Hills.

One of Nashville’s most beloved book stores has been ordered to close. Davis-Kidd Booksellers will begin liquidating its Green Hills store almost immediately and close next month.

Davis-Kidd’s closure is a result of its parent company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday.

Neil Van Uum, who is owner of The Joseph-Beth Group, said in a statement, “Davis Kidd has been an institution in Nashville. It breaks my heart to have to close this store.”

Patrons Disappointed

 

Davis-Kidd employees found out Thursday morning, but they weren’t letting on to customers like Judy Griggs, a retired teacher from Metro Schools.

“It’s too sad. They need to run an obituary because it’s been a wonderful institution. There’s something civilized about it that makes you feel good when you go in there.”

Joseph-Beth Group purchased the store from Karen Davis and Thelma Kidd in 1997. The two college friends started the store in 1980. Since then, shopping has changed, says customer Caroline Price, who came to pick up the new George Bush memoir, only because she couldn’t wait to have it shipped.

“The Internet is taking over a lot of stuff. Everybody shops online. I mean your Christmas shopping, it’s easier than getting out and fighting the traffic on Black Friday.”

In a statement, The Joseph-Beth Group simply blames the weak economy. The company is also closing a store in Cleveland, Ohio. Last week it announced closings in Charlotte and Pittsburgh.