UPDATE:Olsson’s has since posted a press release on their web site announcing the closing of all five locations. They’ve also created a blog-style testimonial page for fans of the local chain to leave their thoughts on the news.

Olsson Enterprises, Inc., trading as Olsson’s Books & Records, Record & Tape Ltd., and Olsson’s Books announced today that it has closed all of its locations and petitioned the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Maryland for conversion of its current Chapter 11 protection to Chapter 7.

The reasons given for the petitioning were stagnant sales, low cash reserves, and an inability to renegotiate current leases, along with a continuing weak retail economy and plummeting music sales.

The Dupont Circle location of local bookstore chain Olsson’s abruptly closed today, with signs having been taped in the window thanking customers for 16 36 years in the Washington area. A single flower had been placed in the doorway, appearing to be the beginnings of a shrine.

The signs on the door direct customers looking for more information to the Olsson’s web site, however no information had yet to be posted there about the closing as of this afternoon. The phone was not answered at any of the remaining Olsson’s locations, which includes Crystal City, Old Town, Courthouse, and National Airport. An email to Olsson’s asking for confirmation of the closure of one or all of the chain’s retail stores has yet to be returned.

Olsson’s filed for bankruptcy in June, shortly after it closed its other D.C. location in Penn Quarter.

Since we have so far been unable to reach anyone at any Olsson’s store, if you have any information about the status of the other locations, please let us know in the comments.

Photos by Ian Buckwalter