(Google Maps)
Barnes & Noble made two announcements on Tuesday. First, the book seller will be returning to the Upper East Side in a new space just a couple blocks from its previous location on East 86th Street. And second, a complete overhaul will be taking place at the B & N at 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street.
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A press representative tells ILTUWS that store renovations will begin in January. They’ll be “refitting the store with the new fixtures and new furniture in the format we’ve used so successfully in our new stores.” The rep also told us they expect the store to remain open during renovations, though there may be some sections cordoned off.
“The store will have a fully renovated Café and an expanded Gifting department. But most exciting is the curation of our books! Our teams are hard at work right now crafting and curating the very best assortments tailored to our Upper West Side customer.”
In July 2020, the New York Times reported that CEO James Daunt “thought the company’s stores were badly in need of some sprucing up” when he took over in 2019. Before the pandemic, he had planned to “close locations on a rotating basis for a few weeks at a time to refurnish and refurbish.” But then the pandemic hit, and the ensuing lockdowns allowed the book seller to redo more than 350 of its stores.
As described by the Times, some additional new design elements at stores across the country include more open layouts, fewer bulky displays, updated signage, better title visibility, and reorganized sections. The 2020 article also hints to greater book variety (but with fewer copies of each title).
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Barnes & Noble sent us some photos of newer stores to give us an idea of what we can expect:
Noblesville, IN
Walnut Creek, CA
Westport, CT
Barnes & Noble has opened 16 new stores this year, and has announced development plans for over thirty new locations to open in 2023. In the past, one or two openings per year was the book seller’s usual rate of expansion.
The Barnes & Noble at 82nd and Broadway has been open since 1993. We’ve requested more details and will provide updates as we learn more.
Instead of reinventing an existing store, why not open up new stores where there are none? There is no Barnes & Noble above 82nd Street on the West Side.
There is, actually, but it’s not quite the same kind of B&N, and you’d have to be a detective to know about it. The Columbia University Bookstore in Albert Lerner Hall (Broadway and 115th) is operated by B&N. Obviously, it carries textbooks in August and June, and a lot of school paraphernalia, but it also has some of the same closeouts, and a reduced “regular” selection.
Book lovers should consider Book Culture on West 112th Street. It’s an independent, with fewer bestsellers, but an excellent general selection, and far more interesting closeouts!
I’m happy to know that Book Culture is on 112th…I greatly miss their store on 82nd even if Stand took it over. I’ll definitely go!
I wonder if B&N still only keeps new titles from lesser known authors on the shelves for a measly two weeks before returning stock to publishers – for full credit. Asking for a friend…
So now we’re complaining about the few successful brick and mortar bookstores left. Got it.
I have lived at 81st and Broadway for 5 years and been in there twice. Side note, one of my favorite things to do is go into the Amazon bookstore in Columbus Circle, find a physical book, then go up to an employee and ask if they have it on Kindle.
Must have been a while ago, as that store has been closed since April, as have all of the Amazon books locations.
LED lighting by itself would be a major improvement.
I would like to see two things brought back. First, “new releases” shelves for ALL categories. Second, a table or shelf for “employees’ picks.” I always found both of these very helpful, but both were done away with during the last round of restructuring.
True, i believe New Yorkers are getting water down versions of what Barnes &Noble used to be. PSierra
I love B&N on the UWS! I’ve taken my grand daughters there since they were toddlers. They’re now 11, and they love to read! They grew up selecting their own books, and looking forward to reading what we bought! Only thing I would do in that store is put in some bench space, chairs as in the ‘old days,’ maybe a couch or two!