Do the following two sentences have the same meaning?
The GPO previously closed bookstores in San Francisco , Boston , Philadelphia , Chicago , Birmingham , Cleveland , and Columbus .
Since 2001 , the agency has closed bookstores in San Francisco , Boston , Philadelphia , Chicago , Birmingham , Ala . , Cleveland , Columbus , Ohio , and Washington .

Available choices:
(a). no;
(b). yes;
The answer is:
(b).