DESPITE numerous predictions about the presumed demise of brick-and-mortar retail, a legendary chain is beating the odds.
For proof, look no further than the its successful bid to open a slew of actual, physical bookstores across the US.
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Beginning in 2024, at least 57 new Barnes & Noble locations welcomed both new and tried-and-true customers alike.
But that’s only the beginning of the Barnes & Noble comeback story: even more spots for book lovers are in the works for 2025 – at least 60, to be exact.
Included among them are recent additions in three major cities: Austin and San Antonio, both in Texas, and one in Columbia, South Carolina.
The development of all three, which opened for business in July, was overseen by Big V Property Group, a real estate company based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Read More on Store Openings
Furthermore, Barnes & Noble announced the opening of yet another brick-and-mortar shop in Abilene, Texas.
The store, which welcomed its first customers on Wednesday, is set to be a blessing to Barnes & Noble diehards, the company noted in a press release.
Previously, brand loyalists were forced to travel hours away to peruse titles in person.
“Texas hosts more Barnes & Noble bookstores than any other state — and yet the nearest to Abilene [was] over 150 miles away,” noted CEO James Daunt.
WHAT CUSTOMERS CAN EXPECT
While Barnes & Noble retail spaces haven’t historically erred on the smaller side, the new stores will still likely be bigger than the average independent bookstore, at least when it comes to square footage.
The stores in San Antonio, Austin, and Columbia were once home to other major retailers, as Chain Store Age reported on Monday.
While these spaces were ostensibly remodeled to match Barnes & Noble’s general aesthetic and layout, it doesn’t necessarily mean consumers won’t have plenty of room to shop around.
The stores in Austin and Abilene (the latter of which includes a cafe) measure over 20,000 square feet, with the San Antonio store clocking in at slightly less than 18,000 square feet.
At 25,000 square feet, the Columbia location is the biggest among the four.
OUTLASTING COMPETITORS
Barnes & Noble hasn’t been immune to the decline of brick-and-mortar locales, thanks in part to the rise of online retailers like Amazon.
Barnes & Noble History
- Established in 1917 via Charles and William Barnes, along with G. Clifford Noble.
- Flagship store was built in New York City during the Great Depression.
- Bookseller Leonard Riggio acquired and purchased Barnes & Noble name in 1971 and merged with his business.
- Flagship store became “world’s largest” for a time with 150,000 titles.
- Expansion throughout 70s and 80s, opening more stores and eventually the “superstore” version in the 1990s.
- Barnes & Noble went public in 1993.
- Taken private again by Elliott Advisors Limited in 2019.
- Over 600 stores across 50 states as of 2025.
Credit: Barnes & Noble
Still, its resurgence is in sharp contrast to the fates of its competitors, like Borders, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011.
Barnes & Noble later acquired the former company’s intellectual property and trademark.
So what’s the reason for the chain’s longevity?
It’s likely due to a potent combination of factors.
Among them are franchising its stores to local booksellers, its popularity on #BookTok, and its appeal as a hangout spot, thanks to its in-house coffee shops in partnership with Starbucks.
Only time will tell if Barnes & Noble will continue its seemingly exponential growth – but at this point, all signs point to something promising.
A competing and popular bookstore also closed down a location earlier this spring, leaving customers heartbroken.
Last summer, a 20-year-old store and Barnes & Noble rival was also shuttered, offering 50% off final sales to stunned shoppers.
