Ukazoo store preps to close Aug. 16; will still sell online

Caitlin McCallum, 24, a graduate student at the University of Toledo, looks over books in the children's section of Ukazoo. The new and used bookshop in Toledo, Ohio will close its retail operation on Aug. 16.

The Ukazoo Books store near the University of Toledo will close Aug. 16, company officials said Friday.

The store, which sells new and used books, opened its North Westwood Road store in January, 2012. Part of the building that houses the Toledo store is a warehouse for Ukazoo’s online book business.

Edward Whitfill, general manager of Ukazoo’s retail operations, said the company decided the retail space was needed for the online operations.

Mr. Whitfill said it was too soon to know whether the store’s 11 full-time and part-time workers would be offered other jobs with the company.

Until it closes, most new and used books will be sold at a 50 percent discount. The store has quit buying used books.

The closing will leave Maryland-based Ukazoo with two retail operations — one in Southfield, Mich., and the other in Towson, Md. A store in Pennsylvania closed last year.

— Chip Towns