Bowling Green State University announced Friday that it will close BGSU on Main, the university’s
downtown retail store, on Dec. 31.
The store at 133 S. Main St. in Bowling Green is operated by BGSU Bookstores—the institution’s collegiate
retailer.
According to Jeff Nelson, BGSU Bookstores director, a decision needed to be made as the lease comes up
for renewal and, because the revenues have not met expectations, the store is no longer financially
viable in today’s sagging economy.
“It has been a very difficult decision,” Nelson said. “We’ve enjoyed having a presence downtown and did
what we could to stimulate sales, but can no longer justify keeping the store open from a business
standpoint.”
BGSU on Main will continue to serve customers through the holiday season. Nelson added that returns of
holiday merchandise after the first of the year will be accepted at the flagship BGSU Bookstore in the
Bowen-Thompson Student Union on campus. Parking for the first hour in the gated parking lot behind the
Student Union is free when the parking ticket is validated by the bookstore with a transaction of at
least $25.
“This is a loss for the retail community, especially downtown,” said Earlene Kilpatrick, director of the
Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. “It gave a presence downtown of a product that was not easily
accessible to the general community. They are going to be missed.”
BGSU on Main opened in fall 2004 as an extension of the retail services offered on campus and sells BGSU
clothing and gifts as well as general interest books.

Bowling Green State University announced Friday that it will close BGSU on Main, the university’s
downtown retail store, on Dec. 31.
The store at 133 S. Main St. in Bowling Green is operated by BGSU Bookstores—the institution’s collegiate
retailer.
According to Jeff Nelson, BGSU Bookstores director, a decision needed to be made as the lease comes up
for renewal and, because the revenues have not met expectations, the store is no longer financially
viable in today’s sagging economy.
“It has been a very difficult decision,” Nelson said. “We’ve enjoyed having a presence downtown and did
what we could to stimulate sales, but can no longer justify keeping the store open from a business
standpoint.”
BGSU on Main will continue to serve customers through the holiday season. Nelson added that returns of
holiday merchandise after the first of the year will be accepted at the flagship BGSU Bookstore in the
Bowen-Thompson Student Union on campus. Parking for the first hour in the gated parking lot behind the
Student Union is free when the parking ticket is validated by the bookstore with a transaction of at
least $25.
“This is a loss for the retail community, especially downtown,” said Earlene Kilpatrick, director of the
Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. “It gave a presence downtown of a product that was not easily
accessible to the general community. They are going to be missed.”
BGSU on Main opened in fall 2004 as an extension of the retail services offered on campus and sells BGSU
clothing and gifts as well as general interest books.