If you love browsing bargain books, then this is going to be sad news: the discount bookstore chain Half Price Books is closing several branches in Texas and expanding its cuts into California. Some of those closings will happen in November. Today, I’ll walk you through the key facts you should know, including where stores are shutting, why this is happening, and what it means for you and other book lovers.
Which Half Price Books locations will close in Texas in November?
Half Price Books has been gradually trimming its Texas footprint, citing lease struggles and declining foot traffic as main reasons.
While not all of the Texas closures are specifically scheduled for November, the chain’s pattern suggests more may follow. In recent years, the chain has already shut stores in San Antonio and North Texas.
One recent example: the North Austin location closed in 2025 after 18 years, when the company said it “was unable to agree to terms on a new lease.” That gives you an idea: many of the Texas closures stem from lease negotiations falling apart, more than anything else.
If you are in Texas and want to check whether your local branch is on the chopping block, contact your store or check local news—closures are being announced on a store-by-store basis.
Recommended:
Which Half Price Books stores in California will close on November 30?
The big name in the California wave is Berkeley. The downtown Half Price Books there will shut its doors on November 30, 2025. The store has been operating in Berkeley for about 20 years, in the historic Kress building on Shattuck Avenue.
In speaking with media, Emily Bruce, public relations manager for Half Price Books, said:
“We wish we could stay but we have been unable to come to a lease agreement with our landlord.”
The Berkeley location had 13 employees. The chain has encouraged them “to apply to other Half Price Books roles in other locations” or otherwise receive severance.
Even after the Berkeley closing, there will still be three remaining Half Price Books stores in the Bay Area—in Concord, Dublin, and Fremont.
Why are they closing these branches?
Several reasons are driving these closures. Here are the most relevant reasons:
- Lease and real estate pressure: In many cases, Half Price Books says it could not reach acceptable lease terms with landlords—Berkeley is a clear example.
- Declining customer traffic: Especially in the brick-and-mortar retail environment, fewer people are stepping into physical bookstores, so revenues are under pressure.
- Operational costs: Maintenance, staffing, rent — all these costs rise over time, making marginal locations harder to sustain.
- Changing reader habits / digital competition: More people may be turning to e-books, online sellers, or streaming media, reducing in-store visits.
These factors combine to make some stores no longer financially viable.
Recommended:
What does the closure mean for book lovers and employees?
If you are someone who enjoys poking around bargain books or vinyl or used media, these closures will be a real loss to you. Berkeley locals and students say the store has been more than a bookstore—it’s been a community hub.
For employees, it means uncertainty, as the closure will affect their jobs. However, the closure announcement for Berkeley included options like applying to other locations or getting severance from Half Price Books.
