Seagull Book has been a familiar name in Latter-day Saint retail for nearly four decades. But its days as a brick-and-mortar chain are officially numbered. If you’ve heard the news and want a clear picture of what’s happening, this article covers everything — the timeline, the reasons, what happens to products, and what customers, employees, and LDS authors can expect going forward.
Seagull Book Is Closing — Here Is What the Official Announcement Confirms
The short answer is yes — Seagull Book is going out of business as a standalone retail brand. In April 2025, Deseret Book announced it will phase out the Seagull Book brand and close all store locations by the end of 2025.
According to LDS Daily, all remaining stores are scheduled to permanently close on December 24, 2025. That makes Christmas Eve 2025 the final day of operations for the chain.
Not every location is waiting until December. Some stores are closing earlier on a staggered schedule. For example, the Logan, Utah location closed on May 31, 2025. Other stores are expected to follow on their own designated dates throughout the year.
Deseret Book’s warehouse in American Fork, Utah — connected to Seagull Book operations — will also close as part of the wind-down. Until each location reaches its closing date, stores continue to operate normally.
A Brief History of Seagull Book and Its Acquisition by Deseret Book
Seagull Book was founded in the 1980s under the name Seagull Book & Tape. It grew into the second-largest LDS bookstore chain in the United States, eventually operating more than two dozen locations across Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Nevada.
In 2006, Deseret Book acquired both Seagull Book and Covenant Communications, folding them under its corporate umbrella. Seagull was positioned as a discount-oriented sister brand — a lower-price complement to the flagship Deseret Book stores.
At the time of the acquisition, Deseret Book publicly stated that no major changes were planned. Employees were told it would largely be business as usual. That held true for nearly 19 years — which makes the 2025 closure decision a significant turning point, not an abrupt one.
Why Deseret Book Decided to Phase Out the Seagull Brand
Deseret Book cited “significant shifts in customer behaviors” as the primary reason for closing Seagull Book. That’s the official language, and while it’s broad, it reflects real trends that have reshaped specialty retail across the country.
The factors at play are not unique to LDS retail. Online shopping has replaced in-person browsing for many consumers. Digital content — e-books, streaming, podcasts — has reduced demand for physical media. Running multiple brick-and-mortar chains is expensive, especially when customer foot traffic continues to decline.
The Seagull closure is also not happening in isolation. Deseret Book is simultaneously dissolving its Sweet Salt clothing line, which was also sold through Seagull locations. That dual move signals a broader strategic refocus, not just a single-brand decision.
It’s worth being clear about what this is not. Seagull Book is not closing because of financial collapse, internal controversy, or any kind of misconduct. Available reporting frames this as a deliberate business decision in response to how people shop today. And critically, Deseret Book itself is not going out of business. It is consolidating its brand portfolio — a move that is common in retail when a parent company adjusts to a changing market.
Think of it like regional grocery banners or department store sub-brands that get quietly retired when the parent company streamlines operations. The parent survives; the sub-brand does not.
What Happens to Seagull Book’s Products, Brand, and Customers
This is where many customers have the most pressing questions. Here is what is confirmed and what remains unclear.
Products and Brand Continuity
The Seagull Book brand and its physical stores are being discontinued. There are no confirmed plans for a separate Seagull-branded online presence after the stores close. What is clear is that LDS books, music, gifts, and related products will continue to be available through Deseret Book’s own retail stores and website.
For modest clothing previously carried through Sweet Salt, customers will need to look elsewhere. That line is also being dissolved, so Deseret Book will not be absorbing it into its regular inventory in a direct way.
Gift Cards and Store Credits
If you have outstanding Seagull Book gift cards, loyalty rewards, or store credits, do not wait. Contact Seagull Book or Deseret Book directly to clarify how those will be handled before your local store closes. Policies on this are not publicly detailed in current reporting, so confirming directly is the safest approach.
A Practical Example
Consider a customer in Idaho who has shopped at Seagull Book for years — picking up LDS novels, children’s books, or gifts before the holidays. In 2025, they will likely see closing notices and reduced inventory. After December 2025, their nearest equivalent option will be a Deseret Book store or deseretbook.com. For customers in areas without a nearby Deseret Book location, the shift to online purchasing becomes more significant.
What This Means for Employees and LDS Authors
Employees
The closure affects workers across multiple states. A Seagull Book store manager learning their location closes in late 2025 faces a familiar challenge in retail restructuring — seek a transfer to a Deseret Book location if one is nearby, or begin searching for new employment. No specific transfer guarantees have been reported publicly, but this type of internal option is typical in parent-company consolidations.
The American Fork warehouse closure adds another layer, affecting employees beyond just the retail floor level.
LDS Authors and Publishers
For authors and small publishers in the LDS market, Seagull Book served an important function. Its discount positioning reached price-sensitive readers who might not shop at Deseret Book’s higher price points. With that channel gone, authors who relied on Seagull for shelf space and sales volume will need to adapt.
Practically, that means leaning more heavily on Deseret Book, Amazon, and digital formats. Covenant Communications — also acquired by Deseret Book in 2006 — will likely see its titles shift to Deseret Book’s distribution channels. For independent LDS authors, discoverability through a physical discount chain is simply going away, and building a direct online presence becomes more important.
Channel consolidation like this is a known challenge in niche publishing. Fewer retail doors mean fewer discovery touchpoints, which generally places more pressure on authors to drive their own marketing.
Alternatives for Shoppers After Seagull Book Closes
If Seagull Book has been your go-to for LDS products, here are the most straightforward alternatives to consider:
- Deseret Book stores and deseretbook.com — The primary replacement for most LDS books, music, and gifts.
- Amazon and other online retailers — Many LDS titles are widely available through general platforms.
- Digital formats — E-books and audiobooks through platforms like Deseret Book’s digital store or Kindle are increasingly complete alternatives to physical copies.
- Modest fashion alternatives — Since Sweet Salt is also closing, customers looking for modest clothing will need to research other specialty modest fashion retailers independently.
For broader business coverage on retail trends and brand consolidation stories like this one, Quick Business Daily is a resource worth bookmarking.
Final Thoughts
Seagull Book’s closure is the end of a 38-year chapter in LDS retail. It is not the result of a sudden crisis — it is the outcome of nearly two decades of shifting consumer habits that have steadily reduced the viability of specialty brick-and-mortar chains.
If you still want to visit a Seagull Book location, most stores remain open through Christmas Eve 2025. Use that time to check on gift cards, explore remaining inventory, and plan your transition to alternative sources for LDS products.
Deseret Book is not disappearing. The brand behind Seagull Book is restructuring, not shutting down. For LDS readers, the products they rely on will still exist — just through fewer doors and more screens.
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