B. Dalton Bookseller resurrected

[tkaye]

As for B. Dalton, I thought they were the better of the two mall-based bookstore chains, but they seemed to not have as many locations. I can't say I ever saw one outside of a mall though.

In the early '80s, B. Dalton had two stores in downtown Seattle: Fourth & Pine by Bartell's "triangle" store (where Westlake Park is now) and the Colman Building at First and Marion. There was also one in downtown Bremerton on Pacific Avenue next to Woolworth's -- that whole block is a park now. Like nearly all the other chain retail in downtown Bremerton, it relocated to the Kitsap Mall in Silverdale when it opened in 1985.

[babs]

Apparently there is a new Barnes and Noble coming to Tanasbourne (Hillsboro, OR) between Target and Best to replace a store that closed last fall. I find it interesting since I didn't think B&N was opening any new stores.

[Alpha8472]

Barnes and Noble opened a new store in Concord, California a few years ago. It is smaller than what they used to build.

Also in 2016, a new one opened in Folsom, California.

[MSSportsGuy]

I don't know that I ever saw a B.Dalton bookstore during my youth but remember Waldenbooks well and loved Borders. B&N has treaded water for years now and appears to have no momentum while independent booksellers, at least the older established ones, seem to be doing decent business. I try to patronize both my local bookseller and B&N sometimes as the B&N near me has always been well stocked with helpful associates.

Considering malls are dying all over I am curious why any company would put resources into a mall based business. The two enclosed malls here in the Memphis area are hanging by a thread from what I can tell.

[Alpha8472]

The two new Barnes and Nobles in Northern California are in outdoor shopping centers. These outdoor shopping centers seem to be more popular these days than indoor malls. However, there are some indoor malls that are doing good business and could support a new Barnes and Noble.

[marshd1000]

There is also a new Barnes and Noble at the revamped Totem Lake Mall which is now an outdoor center called the Villages at Totem Lake. It also has a new Whole Foods.

[SamSpade]

Off Topic

There is also a new Barnes and Noble at the revamped Totem Lake Mall which is now an outdoor center called the Villages at Totem Lake.

How is it? Any seating? Still a decent newsstand?
I assume the new Tanasbourne (Hillsboro, Ore.) one that is coming will have a B&N Cafe, not an adjacent regular Starbucks like its predecesor.

[Alpha8472]

The newest Barnes and Noble near me in Concord, California has a Barnes and Noble cafe.

The Folsom store was a prototype with a bar and a full kitchen restaurant that served a huge menu. It had tables and sofas. You could get full meals, wine, etc. There was also outdoor dining. The restaurant concept was not expanded beyond the 5 concept stores.

The Concord store has some seating, but no full kitchen restaurant.

[ClownLoach]

The newest Barnes and Noble near me in Concord, California has a Barnes and Noble cafe.

The Folsom store was a prototype with a bar and a full kitchen restaurant that served a huge menu. It had tables and sofas. You could get full meals, wine, etc. There was also outdoor dining. The restaurant concept was not expanded beyond the 5 concept stores.

The Concord store has some seating, but no full kitchen restaurant.

They are definitely back to opening stores and doing relocations to a more manageable size store (around 20K). They were showcasing yet another new prototype on LinkedIn that looked a bit better than the "bare bones" stores of the last couple of years. It just opened in Woodbridge, VA and the pictures were very nice. Especially happy to see nice seating areas return after they had been removed from so many other locations. They also relocated a Cincinnati area store although the pictures of that one are less dramatic due to a low drop ceiling that makes the store look plain.

What is very interesting is that they say they have decentralized store planning and merchandising. They are working to hire experienced managers who understand the local community and they're allowing them to order merchandise and lay out the store. This could either be a massive success or a complete failure as the entire store is put on the shoulders of one person.