It’s hard to miss the “Store Closing” sign where Dalton’s Christian Bookstore and The Sports Zone are located on Walnut Street in Waynesville.

The huge sign and ones like it are not unusual sights these days as several businesses in Haywood County have closed their doors in recent months. In particular, bookstores seem to be taking a hit with Dalton’s being the second bookstore in Waynesville to close recently.

Christian Bible Book Shop on Main Street in Waynesville closed for good earlier this month, and Dalton’s announced its closing soon after.

Although the owners of the Christian Bible Book Shop declined to comment as to why the store — which was a presence in town for more than 30 years — was closed, the difficult economy might have been the culprit as it has been for so many others.