A Fond Farewell: Seagull Book Enters Final 20 Days, Ending a Beloved Christmas Tradition

It is official - With only 20 days remaining until Christmas Eve, the final chapter of Seagull Book is drawing to a close. As the northernmost stores in Idaho and Utah prepare for their permanent shuttering on December 24, it is difficult to fathom the quiet, profound end of this popular retail chain, especially amidst the hustle of the holiday season.

The company, which spent nearly four decades as a trusted source for uplifting literature, gifts, and religious materials, will permanently close all locations across its entire intermountain territory. For countless families, the finality of this closure means the loss of a cherished Christmas tradition: the annual pilgrimage to Seagull Book for affordable, meaningful holiday gifts.

Yet, Seagull Book's impact stretched far beyond its geographic core. Its legacy is found in the unexpected places, like the memory of individuals who once carried its books and merchandise to communities in Johannesburg, South Africa. This global reach underscores the powerful role the retailer played as a connector, delivering faith and community resources across continents.

The retail atmosphere in these final stores is now filled with quiet reverence. Though shelves are emptying due to liquidation sales, a spirit of nostalgia remains for a business model that simply couldn't withstand the changing landscape of digital content and rising costs.

It is with sadness, and yet with profound gratitude and fondness, that the region bids farewell to Seagull Book. While one door closes, the enduring hope remains that its sister company, Deseret Book, will step up to fill the gap left by Seagull's departure. Customers transitioning to Deseret Book's stores and online channels hope to carry on their tradition of finding the perfect, faith-centered gift, ensuring that the spirit of Christmas shopping endures, even as the Seagull sign goes dark.

The final act of turning the deadbolt on Christmas Eve will be definitive, but the memories created within those walls—from Utah to Idaho and beyond, even to places like South Africa—will be carried forward as the greatest part of its legacy.