Why Barnes & Noble Is Opening Dozens of Stores While Closing Legacy Locations
New York, Saturday, 1 August 2026.
Despite shuttering select legacy locations due to expiring leases, Barnes & Noble is aggressively expanding with around 60 new store openings planned across the United States this year.
Strategic Restructuring Amidst Growth
Barnes & Noble is currently navigating a complex period of retail evolution, characterized by the simultaneous closure of legacy locations and the opening of numerous new stores across the United States [1]. While the retailer plans to launch roughly 60 new bookstores in 2026, it is also shuttering a handful of long-standing locations due to lease expirations and redevelopment plans [1]. This dual trajectory underscores a strategic footprint optimization rather than a contraction of the business, distinguishing current operations from the decline experienced over a decade ago [3]. The company maintains that these closures are site-specific decisions driven by landlord plans and lease terms, not a reflection of corporate instability [3].
Legacy Locations Facing Lease Expirations
Specific closures highlight the impact of aging commercial real estate on the retailer’s physical footprint. The Barnes & Noble location in Redwood City, California, which has operated for 33 years, is scheduled to close on September 16, 2026, following the termination of its lease [2]. Similarly, the Livingston Mall location in New Jersey closed on July 14, 2026, due to the aging complex being slated for redevelopment [4]. In Nanuet, New York, and Pembroke Pines, Florida, locations were scheduled for closure on January 18, 2026, also attributed to expiring leases [3]. These events confirm that nearly every closure is attributed to the same root cause: an expiring lease or a mall undergoing redevelopment [1].
Aggressive Expansion Plans for 2026
Contrasting the closures, Barnes & Noble is undergoing one of its biggest expansions in recent years, with a new store in Livingston, New Jersey, scheduled to open on August 5, 2026 [4]. As of July 2026, the company has grown to over 700 stores nationwide, up from fewer than 600 in 2023 [4]. This growth represents a significant rebound, calculated as 16.667 percent increase in store count over the three-year period [4]. Additionally, a new 9,885-square-foot store recently opened in Commack, New York, as part of a regional expansion strategy [5]. The retailer also plans to open five new stores in California, including locations in Cupertino and Fremont, despite the Redwood City closure [2].
Decentralized Business Model
The company’s resilience is partly attributed to a decentralized approach that allows individual stores to curate selections based on local tastes [1]. This strategy has helped the chain win back readers who previously drifted toward online retailers [1]. CEO James Daunt has characterized the current phase as a shift from crisis management to active expansion, evidenced by the acquisition of Books Inc. and the opening of 67 new locations in the previous year [3]. Consumers can verify the status of specific locations via the official store locator or corporate press releases, ensuring accurate information amidst mixed reports [3].