A single poster with a new message has replaced the signs that once advertised discounted airline fares outside STA Travel. The poster now announces that the agency's location has been closed.
Forty-eight STA Travel locations, including the store that was located on the ground floor of the Reitz Union, were closed Friday, said Amanda Webb, STA Travel spokeswoman.
The decision to close the branches will leave about 200 employees without jobs. All employees and customers of the closed locations were notified the same day, Webb said.
With the change, STA Travel will be focusing its growth on other areas, including its Web site, call center and other retail locations, she said.
Downsizing the number of stores will enable it to better cope with the country's economic woes, according to a news release from STA Travel.
STA Travel will continue to maintain 17 U.S. locations and its international locations, which were not affected at all, she said.
Customers of the closed locations have been redirected to handle travel plans through STA Travel's 24-hour, seven-day-a-week customer service hotline.
And as a possible substitute to the closed locations, STA Travel opened its first flagship retail kiosk on Monday at Ohio State University in a partnership with Barnes & Noble College Bookstores. The kiosk will have the same services and products as a traditional retail store along with a staff of STA Travel personnel, according to the release.
Webb is unsure if the kiosk idea will go nationwide, but she sees it as a promising retail concept.
Ruth Bien-Aime, a UF alumna, said she is not surprised by STA Travel's decision to downsize in light of the poor economy and student's unwillingness to spend on big trips.
"I used to travel on a whim," Bien-Amie said. "But now I've got to budget and plan ahead."
Michael Mironack, director of operations for the Reitz Union, said the building is still looking for new tenants to fill the space left open by STA Travel and also for the space vacated by The Studio earlier this summer.
The arts studio moved to the Reitz Union basement.
