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its awesome seeing you use Ground News. do you ever feel conflicted covering "companies" in a generally positive light? I mean, do you ever feel conflict between producing pro-capitalism content and knowing more about how capitalism works? im not coming at you, btw, I like your channel and I watch every week cause you have a great voice and the content is informative. but as a leftist I've had this question for a minute about your economic views. like are these videos only informative or are they prescriptive too? its very impressive to me that you can share information without putting any clear spin about the goodness of these companies one way or another. that said, I hate amazon and always will.
1. i got a nook and after a week returned it bc it was garbage. nothing special vs others for less. 2. i rarely go there anymore bc of starbucks. their workers unionized and immediately closed all the stores in the city. that is clearly union bisting and ILLEGAL
Answer this why do you get more than half your information wrong in your videos because if you go online to like places like CBS 2 Chicago they are saying that Barnes & Noble is thriving and opening more stores so you to say that Barnes & Noble is declining is outright wrong which makes this whole video null and void because everything based off of them declining would be factually incorrect.
Hey, Company Man. Can you please do a video on the decline of The Walt Disney Company? There are a lot of bad things happening at the company recently and what their future holds for them. Heck, some recent Disney films bombed at the box office. Could you please take a deep look at what went wrong at Disney?
The "Texas book ban" removed certain books from public school libraries (which is not actually banning books). An example would be Lawn Boy, which features--in explicit detail--two 10 year old boys giving each other blowjobs. These are books that you could not read on UA-cam due to their sexually explicit material, let alone involving children, but they were in elementary and middle school libraries. But hey, thanks for letting us know that you're all for giving elementary and middle school students sexually explicit books. Or is it an indictment of Ground News that your takeaway didn't involve the content of those books and the fact that it was not banning books, merely making it more difficult to stock public school libraries with sexually explicit books?
Yeah. I don't even enjoy reading or drinking coffee but I always felt relaxed there. It always felt clean and inviting. There was ostensibly nothing for me there, I just liked being there.
@@sid1gen not a bad request IF those cafes are NOT corrupt, politically driven corporations like Starbucks. Although I always prefer just about any company to Amazon, I don't feel so bad that B&N declined due to their partnership with Starbucks who ironically is the Amazon of the coffee industry. Poetic justice indeed.
@@protestssopeacefulweneedad2017 B&N is a corporation, so I don't care what coffee they sell as long as they have a cafe. Not everything in life is a battle to the death against this or that. I don't want B&N to fold; I want it to thrive, and I want all their stores to have cafes so I can relax in them no matter where in the US I happen to be.
I think there's one fairly major event in the 2000's you didn't touch on that really boosted Barnes and Nobles: the explosive popularity of Harry Potter and its impact on the young adult literature industry. Yes, Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, Artemis Fowl and all that were a benefit to all bookstores, but Barnes and Nobles was in the best position to capitalize on it. I remember midnight book launches being huge events, and series-centric book clubs being hosted at the stores.
@shawnieadams1319 I only got to go to one, the release of Order of the Phoenix at Borders. It was amazing, there were so many creative crafts, games and costumes. Just loved it. I also went to the midnight release of Cursed Child at Barnes and noble and had fun there too. It gave my little cousin a glimpse of what the Harry Potter release parties had been like
Good point. Is there anything similar nowadays? And events provide experiences that Amazon and online cannot offer. You could argue that the HP movies and theme park rides are an example of taking a “book” franchise and turning it into something that the online book store can’t compete with.
As someone who works in the publishing industry, the rise of manga definitely has impacted Barnes & Noble for the better. Especially within the last 3-4 years the boom was astonishing!
I'm happy to hear there's increased interest! I used to *love* Borders and Half Price Books in the 2000s, specifically for their manga. Barnes & Noble always felt higher end, which scared me away. One Half Price is still open in my area. The manga selection is majorly downsized, but someone was almost always browsing what they do have. Myself included.
Not to mention huge graphic novel/comic book sections. And they can typically get books you might want/can’t find if you ask them! Best part is that it’s free! Libraries rule! 🎉
Libraries seem to be making a comeback lately. Though the book bans in some states targeting libraries and schools might give book stores an opportunity. Because these states are likely not going to restrict what books the bookstores can sell.
there's something magical about walking into a physical bookstore and exploring all those books... I have to admit though that books are often cheaper on Amazon which is a bummer.
I feel the same. Man I enjoyed many Starbucks outings just browsing books and magazines. Same feeling as Blockbuster and CD DVD stores where you could listen to music before buying. Yes Barnes had a music DVD section where you could sample music. I know it sounds so antiquated now when everything is streaming on a phone. 😂
If you belong to their loyalty program, they can beat Amazon. You get free shipping on everything. If you have their branded credit card, you can earn gift cards.
If you belong to their loyalty program, they can beat Amazon. You get free shipping on everything. If you have their branded credit card, you can earn gift cards.
Worked at B&N for a few years in college. A few things stuck out to me during my time there: 1. The lack of a coherent ecommerce strategy to stay competitive with Amazon 2. Trying to pivot too hard to ebooks with the Nook 3. Sticking too closely to MSRP with DVDs and music Customers would just say, "I can get it cheaper or faster through Amazon" or, "Why would I buy a worse version of the Kindle?"
Yeah their e-commerce was fine but Amazon did it cheaper and had bigger selection. Still I enjoyed browsing at the stores and grabbing a Starbucks and it was a thing back in the 90s. Sadly around 2012 on as iPhone iPad big screen mobile all the stores in my area closed. They really tried everything but lost out to bigger competition. It isn't just Amazon but Apple got into the game with their iPad and convenient book purchase. Good times at Barnes and Noble.
In 2012, I went to a B&N location that had the movies True Romance and SE7EN in their music/video section, both on DVD. And both movies were priced at $20. Those same two movies were also at a Target, but on Blu-ray- at $10 each. If I buy any video at B&N, it's either during the 50% off Criterion sale, or anything that's either under $10 or at least 20% off.
Yeah i am a DVD/Blu-ray/4k collector. Got 1500+ titles. I NEVER buy from them. Way overpriced. I can get a bluray for $10 online yet B&N will charge $20-25 easy. Anything other than music/movies is fine.
Yeah, a friend of mine was pushing some big B&N 50% off Criterion DVD's sale on their FB and I said "oh, great, so now it's just a little more expensive than buying on Amazon instead of ridiculously expensive!"
My first business was a used bookstore in the 90s and there was a lot of pressure to adopt the Barnes and Noble model of a relaxed, library feel with people sitting in comfy chairs and reading books. That did not sit well with a lot of used bookstore owners, who took the stance that they're running a business, not a library. Fast forward to today, I do see that library model being used by a lot of new and used bookstores. Usually, ones in trendy, hipster locations.
@@haleymist09 I'm not saying it's a terrible idea. I adopted it myself. But when you're a small bookstore, you can't absorb the cost of people using your store as a library as well as a corporate mega bookstore.
Yeah you have to offer that library feel to encourage visits and offer coffee and snacks to create a lounge atmosphere. If you don't the competition will and eat your lunch. Alot of stores added CD DVD merchandise. Sadly most of the stores I visited are all closed. They just can't survive in the era or internet and mobile. That being said a few used bookstores are still alive but not many.
I feel like used bookstores have a totally different vibe. A big store like B&N is where I go to find a nice new copy of a favored book or catch a new release. It's fun to wander and admire the spacious shelves and all the shiny covers. A used bookstore is where I can spend 3 hours poring over tightly packed shelves, before walking out with 10 titles I'm excited to read for less than $50 total. The often cramped feel adds to the sense of exploration.
There used to be used book stores that allowed you to trade books and or donate books towards the credit of other books of your choice. This was a treat for both myself and my mother. We enjoyed the library very much, but there was something special about owning a copy of your favorite books. We didn't have much money to buy books. This was a great option for us. Going to Barnes and Noble was the equivalent of going out to eat for special occasions. We had to take the bus to get there. If we were able to purchase a book, which was not that often it was that much more special. I would run to the kid section and read and go through every book I could. Barnes and Noble were able to create this warm, cozy and inviting environment even though it was a large chain. Barnes and Noble is coveted. Thanks for this video.😊
There's still a used bookstore where I live that does that. It's been a lifesaver because books written now just suck and that's where I take said bad books for better.
I was book manager at one of these stores. Hastings. Horribly run. Came from Waldenbooks which was owned by Borders. They crashed because they made a deal with Amazon for online sales and that was the beginning of the end for both chains. Hastings also crashed for various reasons. I loved Borders and still love B&N. Also seek out small, locally owned stores.
The Barnes and Noble closest to me was destroyed in a tornado in 2020. On Feb. 7th, 2024, they reopened in that town. Its amazing that you released this video on the same day as the grand reopening! Which I attended! I didnt think they would reopen due to Amazon overtaking the market, but Im so happy they are open again! I love visiting brick and mortar stores!!!
My town never had a Barnes and Noble, but it did have a Borders that existed for like, 4 years before they went bankrupt. A little over a decade later, in June 2023, Barnes and Noble opened a location, practically in the same spot as the old Borders. For the last few months that place has been popping and I regularly see a lot of people there when I go.
Worked at B&N prior to the acquisition. One of the most annoying things was that we were primarily asked to try and hawk the memberships rather than focusing on the books, which definitely put some people off. When I last spoke to my old manager in 2022 or so it sounded like things were a lot better, as they had more control over the store and wasn’t being scrutinized over membership rates 24/7.
I remember a long time employee of another book chain store, (Borders?) said knowledge of books, authors meant little to management, they were more focused on clocking employees on their trying to sell impulse products, (candy, snacks, etc.) at the check out counter.
I actually got in an argument at the checkout over just this years ago. The lady would not ring me up, just kept insisting I get a membership. I finally turned around and asked the guy behind me if he had a membership and did he want to put the purchase under his account to get the points. He said yes. Turned a 2 minute transaction into 10 minutes and was the last time I ever bought a book from B&N.
@@steverogers8163 There are viral rants online as customers have similar problems at Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, etc. It's not the clerk's fault, the are put under a lot of pressure to sign you up. At the end of the day, the clerks are not being clocked on how much merchandise they have sold/processed, but only how many memberships, cards, impulse gifts they have sold. That is what determines their job security, pay, and promotion potential.
kinda depends on how well stocked they keep the manga though. idk about B&N, but I started to read manga when Borders was still around, and most of the times they'd never have all volumes of a manga if it was one that was long running, like shonen manga. Volume numbers would be missing, and etc.
As a teenager I loved hanging out at the B&N at 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. It was a huge, three-floor store with all the amenities mentioned in the video. I’d go there on weekends and spend the whole day. I’d get a stack of books, find a comfy chair, and just read. Many people don’t have easy access to bookstores, books can get pricey, and some people don’t like reading. I totally understand why many people prefer getting their books from Amazon (lower price + convenience) or just getting the ebook, but for me, a crucial part of the book-buying experience was being in the physical space, being surrounded by books, holding the book in your hands, that unique smell (if you know, you know). A day spent in the bookstore was a good day. I read last fall that B&N is planning to return to 3rd Street Promenade! That’s wonderful but I can’t find a date for the grand opening, or if it’s still happening. I sure hope so. 📚
I couldn't agree more. Book readers like coziness. I wish they had chairs and seating areas through out the stores. Now when I go I feel rushed to buy a book and leave.
With the benefit of hindsight, the Nook should’ve just been an app to download on your existing smartphone device with a slicker interface than the competition. It’s much cheaper than developing hardware.
The sizable Barnes & Noble superstore nearby where I live recently underwent downsizing, relocating from its large standalone location to a smaller space within a strip mall. Its new footprint bears a striking resemblance to the size of old bookstores like Waldenbooks and B. Dalton, which were phased out in the 90s in favor of larger superstores. It's a reminder of how trends can come full circle.
There's a huge, 2-story B&N in Kansas City that I was at once. I could have spent all day there. It was in 2022, when that county was enforcing masking, which I refused to do. B&N was leaving us alone to browse and shop, which I enjoyed. Great store!!
This is exactly what happened to one in my area!! Word on the street near me, is that the owner of the actual building that the Barnes and Noble used to be in wanted a Cheesecake Factory put in, so they basically kicked B&N out. They reopened in a smaller location pretty close by, but it was sad to see the big store close.
It is less than ideal that I’m second in our name to begin with. The original name was *_NOBLE_* (in all caps and very bright lights that could be seen from space) and little “barnes” ... but that’s neither here nor there. Barnes and I agreed to just do it alphabetically. And I’m not still upset at that .... or at this silly alphabet system we have. Who started that thing and why? It’s such a silly system. Really, I’m over all of that. Please just tell all your friends to refer to us as *_NOBLE_* with a shout and a whisper of a tiny little barnes in the future. Thanks
I'm a library person but B&N always has a special place in my heart. I have always been a huge book lover and never got into e-readers because I love turning the pages and it's good to get off electronics sometimes. B&N is extremely expensive which is why i frequent the library these days, but there is always something magical about walking into a bookstore with my mom at Christmastime!!
It truly is and I have fond memories of browsing books grabbing a Starbucks. Same nostalgia I felt at Blockbuster and CD DVD stores. Good times just hanging out. Now I dunno where young people go to hangout.
I have fond memories as well walking around B&N on the lower level using their restrooms buying so many Dupont Regristy Magazines Books and CD’s back then. I also had a card from them when i was in High School.
I have friends who bought Kindles and Nooks as soon as they arrived on the landscape. These amigos were always about the new trends and technology. And some of them actually still use them, as they are very convenient for travel. But it has been interesting to see how many people are going back to the tradition of wanting to hold a book in their hand. Even some of these aforementioned friends. While they keep the Kindle for travel, they are also going back to that tradition of buying books again. And I'm glad to see that. Personally, I was never one to take to the Kindle, only because as a literature major at university, I always felt this special bond with books. I loved the looks of them, the aromas of their pages, and the feel of them in my hand. I do wonder if B&N isn't hanging on because we still have readers like myself who like to have that book in hand. You also have book lovers who own Kindles but are also trending back to having some hard copies at hand as well. Not to mention bookstores are also places to go to be social in certain respects. They are a place where we can interact with others, even if maybe we don't speak to them all the time while we're there. Trends come and go. And I know the Nook and Kindle will always be a popular method of obtaining books for many. But I do hope bookstores hang around. For a very long while. I just wish that the smaller establishments hadn't been absorbed and/or overpowered by the conglomerates and commercial entities that are these major bookstores. Again as the video here points out, think "You've Got Mail." But even if I don't like how these corporate bookstores have put the smaller bookstores out of business themselves, I certainly don't want the Amazons of the world to put B&N out to pasture either. In closing, I will say that I think it would be nice if they reduced the prices of their books a bit. It can be tempting to pay so much less for a book at Amazon. I'm sure the overhead that landed stores such as B&N have to consider though makes it a more pricey endeavor. It would still be nice if bookstores like B&N could drop their prices to match Amazon a little more closely. Maybe they stay in the game more solidly for even more years to come. It would be even nicer if some of the smaller bookstores like Shakespeare and Company in NYC had been able to square off against the big boys too. I know S&C still exists in NY, but there are fewer stores now. And that's sad. There is a lot to be said for the intimacy of your good old neighborhood bookstore!
I’ve done some reading on this, as I’m a big reader, and supporter of Barnes and Noble. And it’s a possibility that Amazon is driving their prices too low for now, in order to play the long game and drive out their competitors. Amazon has so many other departments that make them a ton of money, that they don’t have to be too concerned about their book sector in the short term if they can benefit from it in the long run
I loved the Walden Books at the mall near me, from first grade on I’d always have my mom take me to get the new Goosebumps book, and they had a great display. I remember being excited turning the corner to see the newest book out. I’m 37 now and I’m still actively reading so that definitely sparked my original interest
People are saying it's because of wages and rental space and such, but that doesn't change the fact that that's probably why people stopped shopping there and is now falling from relevancy.
I used to work for the southern bookstore chain Books-A-Million. Since that chain began downsizing and closing stores, I began going to Barnes & Noble. I really do enjoy Barnes & Noble for my book needs
I enjoyed going to my local Barnes and Noble, especially because it had a Starbucks in it. I used to read books and magazines while eating a giant cookie there. Nowadays, that Barnes and Noble became a TJ Maxx.
Was it the one by St John's University? Because that was a LOSS to the community at large. I was forced to go to Nassau Co instead of a 5 minute drive down the road.
When we lived in Burlington Vermont 20 years ago my wife and I would go to the huge B&N across from University Mall and browse for hours. It just felt like nothing else. Books and coffee and warm vibes. They had a great discount book section downstairs and huge windows upstairs where you could see outside the snow and cold and darkness. “Shopping” on line has nothing on these memories.
I live in Vermont and have visited the B&N you spoke of in Burlington. The one negative critique I have is the condition of the building: it is old and falling apart. In just the past 18 months it has had a leaky roof, floor repair, broken escalator, and a broken restroom. Time to completely renovate the building, if they plan to stay at that location.
I used to be a Cafe manager at Joe Muggs inside Books A Million and worked at Waldenbooks as a teenager. Personally in this world devoid of third spaces, casual places where people are allowed to linger, I find bookstores to be more valuable than ever. And if you just got The Cranberries stuck in your head, you're welcome😊
Fun facts: U.S.-based Barnes & Nobile is the world's largest bookstore chain with 630+ locations. The world's largest bookstore today is Powell’s City of Books in Portland, Oregon. The world's largest online bookstore is U.S. based Amazon. And the world's largest library is the Library of Congress in Washington DC. The more you know. 🙂🌈
I visited Powell's in Portland (there is a Powell's in Chicago as well), four times in the year that I lived in Oregon. I never had enough time to really check the entire store. Great place. They provide maps so you don'y get lost inside, and the areas are color-coded. Their foreign language section is small and rather uninteresting, sadly, and parking is a problem.
My local store removed half the books and started selling overpriced toys. I am not at the bookstore for overpriced toys I am at the bookstore for books. I quit going I am so disgusted.
I buy the vast majority of my books as ebooks, cheap, on Amazon. Owning a lot of _physical_ books is slowly turning into a luxury for a lot of people. Amazon isn't as price competitive as it wants people to think. B&N stores, in Houston, are in wealthier neighborhoods. What I miss are good _used_ book stores, close to where I live. People talk a lot less about what they're reading than they used to.
The Nook really hurt them. I remember about 7-8 years ago they were still holding onto the idea of the Nook as a tablet, but they started selling them as Samsung tablets with Nook software on it.
I remember when there used to be a giant Barnes & Noble near where I used to live. I used to love to go there with my mom to just go around reading even when we didn't get anything. It closed around 2017 for a furniture store to take its place. I'm still slightly mad about it closing since it was such a large part of my childhood.
@@ThatCoolPsychNurse Seriously? Wow please support it while you can. I try to support the few remaining bookstores especially the used book stores. There's still a few around but they're hurting.
@@jonfreeman9682They've started a chain of used book stores called 2nd And Charles. They're pretty interesting, they have movies, records, and video games too.
Barnes & Noble (at least in NYC) used to be the best bookstore for technical / nonfiction books. They had a huge selection of those types of books, as well as numerous book discussions / signings, & also music cds. The flagship store on 5th avenue (now closed) was loaded with college books. Across the street in their annex you could buy secondhand books at deep discounts. The problem I have with B&N now is their website is not user-friendly. I find myself bypassing them in favor of Amazon since it is easier to navigate & find what I am looking for. The problem nowadays is the younger generation basically reads on their cell phones (or other devices) & they seldom buy music cds.
Their website is subpar, for sure. My biggest complaint, though, is that they have fewer books in favor of toys, puzzles, and other non-book items. It used to be a treat to browse the shelves and discover new titles and authors but now one can basically only find the latest titles by big-name authors--plus loads of cheesy discount/bargain items.
The B&N near us just moved down 1 block and into a smaller building. It makes sense, their square footage was a lot before, a lot of empty walk space. I think that move will help that store. The new store is updated too with fresh interior and design.
Back in the 00's I worked at both Barnes and Noble AND B. Dalton. I enjoyed the job for the most part: my coworkers were cool, I got free books and magazines, even worked in the Starbucks cafe'. Good memories.
When it comes to ereaders I went for the kobo. The nook was difficult to get in the UK. Kobo allowed me to store and read pdfs as well as ebooks. This was important as it allowed me to carry thousands of engineering books on the sd card when I studying for my engineering degree.
Lived in a town with a B&N once. It was a mess. Management was absolutely godawful, prices were ridiculously high compared to places, the cafe area was always dirty, and a giant safety hazard due to be constantly understaffed with poorly-trained employees who didn't have the time, help, experience, or resources to properly upkeep it, and there were constantly new workers because the turnover was massive. Last time I heard it was closed years ago, and is now some other store.
One of my favorite childhood memories is going into a family owned bookstore by my grandma's house called woodwards. this would have been in the 90s and early 2000s. It was my favorite place to go in the mall and I would gladly run across the hall into it whenever my mom and or grandma were buisy getting a haircut. I would snoop around before finding my way to the kids section to find something. Then I would sit and read for a bit before grabbing my mom and getting her to buy me whatever I read as I didn't have my own money yet. The "sitting area" was four plastic kids chairs and a matching table. In the front of the store, they had a bunch of bins, I think maybe 4 filled with books. I think one was clearance, one was new books or series, one was popular books, and the last one was a mixture of hard to find or rare books and books they didn't really have a section for. Behind that was all the adult fiction books. The kids books were all along the side wall and they sold yarn on the back wall. Later on, they added a section for manga. It was one tiny shelf above the register and you had to ask an employee to get one down for you. You couldn't look at it until you bought it. There were only 5 or 6 manga volumes at a time, usually from 2 or 3 different series. I bought them out of manga one time and got volumes 1,3, and 8 of inuyasha and I think volumes 11 and 14 of bleach. I also saw a copy of mien kamf in that bin one time. I still regret listening to my mom and not buying it when I had the chance. I had no intention of ever reading it mind you, but just that coolness factor to say like "I have this piece of history." They closed like a year after I saw it. Its been almost 20 years since then and I still miss that store. To this day the mall is still open, but i don't think anything was ever in that particular storefront. As things stand I live in the area now but I have to travel 60 miles to find anything like a book store and then its a barnes and noble. It serves as my holy grail of book stores mostly because its my only option besides online.
That absolutely sucks because that just means more and more people will be glued to their phones & other gadgets. I'm sticking with physical books, drawing, painting, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, pretty soon sudokus, etc. so this way I'm less dependant on technology for entertainment. This is coming from a Gen-Zer btw.
@@CreationForeverMinistries Electronic mediums will be more smoothly integrated into our lives, and less noticeable. Smart glasses, holographic displays, smart tables and even smart fabrics can all be places to read up on or see your preferred content. At this stage it is very difficult to justify the use of paper for consuming media because it is not easy to renew the trees from which it comes from. Also consider that a library, weighing hundreds of pounds, could all fit into a microchip that can store millions of times more media than that entire physical library was comprised of.
@@ROBLOXTHANOS Spending too much time on a phone is unhealthy. It's why I prefer non-electronic books, drawing, painting, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, other types of art, etc. Plus, it's also more relaxing too. Also, lumber farms are there so this way we can still enjoy the non-electronic stuff. I've become more of a non-electronic type of dude.
@@CreationForeverMinistries There is a real danger associated with blue and violet light as it can penetrate the skin and damage your cells, but electronic displays will become less invasive and obstructive. Imagine a faint hologram displaying a few paragraphs of text that is several feet away from you, not really in your way or bothering you. Imagine being able to scroll through this text with a hand gesture, eye gesture, or even a thought from your mind. Electronics are indeed cumbersome and awkward to use by the standards of the future. You just need to be the master of your own tech, and remember it’s your tool, and nothing more.
@@CreationForeverMinistries Gatekeeping much? I don't know why people get such a boner for physical media when you can get the exact same content without any of the negatives like taking up space and possible damage.
I preferred Borders growing up, but Barnes and Noble has a special place in my heart. Their manga section (at least for some of the stores near me) is fantastic. I love going there to just look at the interesting titles I have not heard of
That's the big advantage of physical stores in my opinion-it's much easier to come across something you might never have heard of or been interested in but catches your attention.
Luckily both my house and college are relatively near B&N locations, so I can still call it my favorite store in the world. I still love to go and just wander about, eat from the cafe, look through all my favorite book genres, revisit the kids section, or even just stop by the LEGO area to see what's new.
@@jonfreeman9682 What do you mean? There are multiple ones near where I live. And looking at the chart in the video, they've only lost about 15% of their locations from their peak. Chances are, if you lived near a Barnes and Noble fifteen-twenty years ago, there's still one close by.
@@JonSmith-hk1bq Oh okay you're right. Guess in suburbs outside the city there's not enough business so they shut down but the central locations they've kept open. There used to be a bunch of used bookstores I visit that have all closed down along with Barnes in my area. But great to see they're still around. Didn't think they would survive this long.
I usually go there just to see if they have obscure books there. Occasionally I would see one book from an author that isn’t popular or mainstream. Like Slapstick or Lonesome No More or The Ugly Swans.
There is one in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. I prefer bookstores when I look for reading material. Love to browse the shelves. Plus, I just like to hold a book in my hands and turn the pages. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but then, I'm soon to be 72.
They just opened a B & N in Wallingford, CT this week. My mom and I went yesterday when it was raining cats & dogs. The place was very busy and the staff was helpful and friendly. They took over a previously standing building in a great location. I hope it succeeds.
I like going to B&N but they’ve sure made it difficult. Since 2012 they’ve shut down the nearest 3 stores. Now it’s a bit of a drive to get to one, and the ones remaining are in busy overcrowded shopping centers I’d rather avoid. I’ve bought tons of stuff over the years, did what I can do.
Our mall had a waldenbooks. It changed to boarders. Now a BAM. It got worse and worse and I switched to ebooks. Barnes and Noble stores were in bigger cities. I went Barnes and Noble ebook because I disliked Amazon. But lately I buying more from Amazon because nook doesn't carry the books I want to read.
I always liked Borders a lot more than B&N. Bookstores in general are in decline because people are buying online, or using online platforms, not paper books. It's sad to me, I spent a lot of time in bookstores as a teen. Great video, thanks!
Yeah, though you did post a video last year on the decline of Borders...now this. I seem to think they're rising again with newly renovated and relocated locations.
Right! Unfortunately, those day people who use Amazon for their entire existence will say, “there aren’t any options for anything, there’s just a Amazon”. Well… you did contribute to that so 🤷🏾♀️ I get a few things from Amazon but I don’t like to use it for my source of everything. I would much rather go to Ross for clothing that Amazon.
I went to a B&N a couple months ago. I absolutely loved visiting it again since I hadn't been to one in years. It's nice to go and just idly browse, take in the numerous books, and the smell of parchment. What broke my heart were the teenagers inside saying "I can find this cheaper on Amazon" and complaining yet kept loitering around. They had no intentions on buying anything, they weren't there to enjoy themselves and see if they could find something they might like -- they were just there to loiter and take selfies. It broke my heart.
Lately I’ve been buying books from thrift books if I can, many are very good quality at lower prices than new from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Growing up in the pre-internet era I have so many fond memories of mom and pop local rural or suburban bookstores. One may have been a mall chain, Book and Record. I’d browse for books, music, tchotchkes. Also in the later 80s I liked Brentano’s, for some reason it made me feel like I was in a sophisticated urban bookstore even though it was at the mall.
Our BnN in Manassas, Va is in the process of downsizing their building and moving 5 miles down the road to a much smaller store. Like 1/10th the size. While I’m glad they’re sticking around it sucks. They had been there well over 30 years and loved going in to just chill, hangout with friends, flipping thru magazines, talking sports or current events at the cafe with a danish and drink. I also worked at Borders during the holiday in the late 90s thru early 2000s and don’t prefer one over the other, but I remember the kindle and other online book readers. There’s something about having the hard copy in your hands though.
One of our local ones (I've never been but it's two-story) is relocating too in a shopping center but it is going to be much bigger than the other one.
I thought the same thing about the one where I would spend ~$100 every other month, until it wasn't there anymore the next time I went. It was always full of people and had a lot of employees, closed out of the blue.
I grew up going to the 5th Ave. Barnes. Dad would drop me off and work around the city and come back and pick me up hours later. The annex across the street had some really good books as well. I think the main store was some 5 stories high. It was like my favorite library. Glad they have outlasted all the others. I've been to Barnes from all over New England to Florida to Montana and California. Just like hanging out there.
Barnes and Noble’s business model is mostly antiquated! Even though they survived thanks to their niche market of books and vinyl records! They’re not as big as they once were, but they still are a fun place to shop, I went to B&N last month and found some books on video games and photography! It’s good they’re still in business.
I worked for B&N three times, twice under the B. Dalton banner and once under Barnes & Noble. I dunno what happened between my Dalton stints and B&N, but the management between the two couldn't be more different if you'd magnetize them. B&N management retaliated against ideas, at least in my district, and faltered in their response to Amazon and other competitors. Either way, B&N faltered trying to transition into a motif that couldn't be sustained in a capitalist society.
In 2007 I remember going to my local Barnes & Nobles with my parents to pick up a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was the midnight release of the book and a very fond memory. We had to get a ticket and hope they had enough copies available by the time our number was called so we could buy a copy. I feel bad for the younger generation now who will never get to experience something like this with physical books now that were heading towards the 100% online digital age.
In my neck of the woods, there was a small bookstore called Book People, then came Towers Books and Music, next came Barnes and Noble. Later i found in other areas of my city BAM, Borders. We found in shopping mall B. Dalton and Waltonbooks. My favorite was that small bookstore that had the vibe of an old style bookstore. You could sit in there and read your book and drink coffee. just like the big brand bookstore used to have.
One of the last independent book stores here in the south SF bay area, shut down a few years ago . Book buyers , they had vintage collectible books , dvds , blu-ray , CDs , and even VHS . The place was a gem .
There was a store called Hastings that was the first type of store like this in my hometown. Borders and Barnes and Nobles both came in shortly after. They were all pretty fun and had a great run in the late 90s and early 2000s. I believe all three are closed now.
Hastings was the best. It was the nerd hang out for my hometown. It hurt hard when they went out of business, my hometown still lacks a book, comic, card game, ttrpg shop to this day
@@boomerbear7596 yeah man mine also had a great video game section in the late 90s for PC games, it’s where I always picked up new games. They also put in a little coffee shop that made really good frozen coffee drinks. I also remember listening to CDs at those little listening stations that had headphones.
I went to Barnes and Noble in Gadsden, AL a few weeks ago and the place was packed. It took me like 30 minutes to pay for my stuff in the checkout line 😂
This was my place in middle school. I’d run down to the store and hide in the little nook and just people watch, all the time. Then I’d get a book, and add it to my bookshelf- usually something like A Christmas Carol or Peter Pan, but they were small enough where I could carry them around in my book bag.
The two B&N stores in a town around me have taken different paths: 1. One was in an old bowling alley and was beloved by everyone, having a kind of tiered floor plan. It was closed last year due to the owner of the building jacking up the rent. Now the building sits abandoned because he can't get anyone into it. Go figure. 2. The other is a kind of prototype store. It's in a much smaller location than most B&N stores, and doesn't have a ton of space for actual books and such, but does have a lot of areas for just hanging out, the cafe, etc.
The Barnes and Nobles store near my home is still doing well. And the other one in Long Beach are doing fine. I am not saying that B&N are in a decline. Just downsizing by focusing on remodeling the stores and changing the objective.
We already lost a number of major book stores like Borders & B&N problems started long after Amazon took off. I'm hoping they can weather the storm & hang on.
I was a regular customer st Crown Books, B. Dalton Bookseller, Waldenbooks, Borders and Barnes and Noble. I'm now 58, and I've Bern reading since I was 3. In 2012 I went legally blind from a hydrocephalus attack that zapped both optic nerves and left me with 30% vision. Going to B&N didn't make sense for me anymore. I now rely on the Echo and the Kinfle, because I use my ears for about half of my reading. Did I love B&N? Yes. But they don't have a lot of stuff Gor customers like me.
Used to love going there for the smell of the books in the coffee. Then they pulled out all the comfy chairs and you have to stand if you want to stay since then I may be visit once a year.
As a young girl, while my mother was attending university she was a major bibliophile. We used to patronize the one on 5th Ave and 17th Street. I remember their discounted books, and there was a large bin where if you brought in books. You could take books from the bin for free. That Barnes and Noble is now gone. Like so many of NYC historical places.
Great video, thank you! Back in the day, my top 3 bookstores were Crown Books, Borders, and B&N, in that order. Crown was the first to go. I spent more time at Borders because they were closer to my house, but I remember B&N had a bit more of an... "upscale" feel to it. Anyway, of the 3, B&N is all that's left, so that's where I go when I need to. If you ever get a chance to do a video on Crown Books, I'd love to see that. Thanks!
B&N is great! The store near me is always packed and has a great atmosphere. I love opening the double doors to a wonder scent of the store and to the great employees as well. I know that online shopping has made it hard for retailers but for me as a book lover it’s hard to see B&N decline.
@@andrewputnam2717 It's documented to be the largest independent bookstore. Also according to the Powell's site there are 3 or 4 other stores you don't know about. It's normal for people. Too many people are stupid enough to think Downtown Portland is the only part of Portland
I definitely think B&N (and the industry as a whole) are benefitting from the rise of tiktok and 'aesthetication' of reading. A lot more people, young people especially, are identifying themselves as a reader compared to early 2010s. People are buying more physical books not necessarily to read, but to collect. Even those that primarily enjoy audiobooks and kindles end up getting the physical copy, just to fill their bookshelves. The question is whether this trend will hold in 10 and 20 years.
I know what you mean at their peak they killed off competing bookstores. That is until Barnes and Noble main competitor is Amazon who is also fighting against Walmart and Target for Big Box Store.
Other humans are allowed to have their own sense of humor. Also, mirthless people like you are even funnier when they don't find something funny. It's absolutely hilarious that you're so bent about it that you felt compelled to make a comment on a youtube video about how you didn't fund something funny. @@user-vg5mung5764hgftj
When my sons were at elementary school, our local B&N, would have a book evening occasionally. Where the store was open exclusively to our school. It worked on several levels, parents and teachers met in a relaxed environment, children got comfortable with going to a book store and it was a fundraiser for the school with part of the sales going to the school.
I always thought Borders had better prices, more variety, and obscure titles. They also invested better in CDs for any tastes including classical. B&N just feels like a toy store with a lot of books now, I'll go in and browse if I'm near one but I rarely buy anything. Occasionally a book, bluray or cd will be cheaper there than Amazon, so it's worth popping in once in a while. Great video as always CompanyMan.
Thanks for finally doing this one! As a former employee, I can tell you that the company still doesn't feel super secure. Their comeback is primarily due to the popularity of Manga and Anime, currently. It will be interesting to see what they continue to do with this boon.
I live near a large B&N, and it is quite busy on a regular basis. Beyond the ability to see, peruse, and buy your reading materials immediately in the brick-and-mortar store, going to this B&N is an experience..... and I believe there is still strong value in this experience. We usually get drinks at the Starbucks.... my wife occasionally buys paperback books. She likes this format better than digital. There is sometime special about sitting among the books and magazines and being able to flip through the pages of multiple books and magazines while sipping our drinks.
In the late 90s, groups of us from my high school used to have study sessions at Barnes & Noble, but they closed down years ago here in Montgomery. We still have a Books-A-Million. I also remember both Waldenbooks and B. Dalton bookstores in our malls. Good times.
Edit: Tinkering with the sentencing, since someone pointed it out for me, feel free to let me know if there’s anything else I need to change I grew up with Barnes & Noble’s and a little bit of borders while lived in Colorado, i love going there and just picking up a book and sitting down somewhere to relax. I was bummed to see Borders go, but happy to know that Barnes & Noble‘s is still chugging along, It’s chill vibes are addictive and i get a craving to go back every once in a while
@@user-vg5mung5764hgftj That might be due to the fact that i use voice to text since my writing is so slow, i was also in a hurry at the time because i was busy Edit: Better?
Just went to one for the first time a few days ago. Really liked their selection of not just books, but all kinds of things like movies, toys and more. Their prices on the other hand could be better.
It still hurts knowing i can't visit the Columbia SC superstore branch anymore. As odd as it is to say, it was a treasured piece of my teen years that I'll always look back on with fondness.
I've been a huge Barnes & Noble junkie for at least 30 years. Still go to my favorite store at South Hills Village Mall about once every two weeks. Love the vibe, the café, and of course, my favorite Russian and English literature paperbacks at 5 or 6 bucks a pop. I sincerely hope Barnes & Noble never closes their doors; at 60, I've spent half my life going there.
My town had both a Borders and a B&N, but no more. The Borders is gone for obvious reasons, but as for the B&N, that was closed to make way for an Aldi's. They were supposedly going to re-open in town in the future, but I think at this point that's not happening anytime soon. Meanwhile, the local bookstore that closed 20 years ago has risen from the ashes like a phoenix and has reopened again, so we're not entirely without a bookstore right now.
I don't have a "local" book store that sells new books (I love Half Priced Books, but their selection can be really hit or miss) and I hate ordering things from Amazon unless it's not available anywhere nearby, so ever since we had our daughter 3 years ago, we've been going to Barnes and Nobles almost every other week, with a trip to the library taking up the times between those visits. I like going there for the board games and children's books and the folks who work there have been nothing but helpful and friendly.
I have a lot of fond memories of Barnes and Noble. Every year the high school jazz band I was in would go to B&N and play music in the cafe. Always loved looking around after in the toys or music or at the books, but now the other B&N near me has recently moved from the big store they were in to a smaller one nearby in the mall. The location is more convenient but the store overall feels worse, it’s smaller, no seats (outside of the cafe), and it’s incredibly cramped there’s so many tables in this smaller space. Plus the overall vibe isn’t for me, feels like an airport bookstore.
I love going to B & N but whenever I go, I only get maybe 3 books. 90% of the time I look at the price and look on Amazon, only to find that the book is nearly half price on Amazon.
I worked for B&N from 1999 - 2003. Customers were already accustomed/spoiled by Internet immediacy. Corporate gave us regrettably tiny payroll budgets (a cafe server, a single cashier, and a manager-20,000 square foot store). Customers frequently staged fits or demeaned me with hateful insults because of the scarcity of booksellers. I quit in a rage after they told me my budget was further cut. How could I further economize? Side note, there were always other important jobs like product returns or displays, so I tried to catch up on my own time between midnight and 6am. A further slap in the face was seeing four employees on site at a 1500 square foot Swatch store. There might have been more in the back. How many customers need help with visibly displayed watch more than book customers with only one word of a five word title?
My wife adores B&N. Every year for her birthday she goes on a "shopping spree", buying 20-30 books in one go. As long as people like her exist, B&N will be profitable.
Get all sides of every story on big brands, business and more at ground.news/CompanyMan. Subscribe through my link for less than $1/month or get 30% off unlimited access this month.
its awesome seeing you use Ground News.
do you ever feel conflicted covering "companies" in a generally positive light? I mean, do you ever feel conflict between producing pro-capitalism content and knowing more about how capitalism works?
im not coming at you, btw, I like your channel and I watch every week cause you have a great voice and the content is informative. but as a leftist I've had this question for a minute about your economic views.
like are these videos only informative or are they prescriptive too? its very impressive to me that you can share information without putting any clear spin about the goodness of these companies one way or another.
that said, I hate amazon and always will.
1. i got a nook and after a week returned it bc it was garbage. nothing special vs others for less.
2. i rarely go there anymore bc of starbucks. their workers unionized and immediately closed all the stores in the city. that is clearly union bisting and ILLEGAL
Answer this why do you get more than half your information wrong in your videos because if you go online to like places like CBS 2 Chicago they are saying that Barnes & Noble is thriving and opening more stores so you to say that Barnes & Noble is declining is outright wrong which makes this whole video null and void because everything based off of them declining would be factually incorrect.
Hey, Company Man. Can you please do a video on the decline of The Walt Disney Company? There are a lot of bad things happening at the company recently and what their future holds for them. Heck, some recent Disney films bombed at the box office. Could you please take a deep look at what went wrong at Disney?
The "Texas book ban" removed certain books from public school libraries (which is not actually banning books). An example would be Lawn Boy, which features--in explicit detail--two 10 year old boys giving each other blowjobs. These are books that you could not read on UA-cam due to their sexually explicit material, let alone involving children, but they were in elementary and middle school libraries.
But hey, thanks for letting us know that you're all for giving elementary and middle school students sexually explicit books. Or is it an indictment of Ground News that your takeaway didn't involve the content of those books and the fact that it was not banning books, merely making it more difficult to stock public school libraries with sexually explicit books?
The smell alone is worth a visit, in my opinion. The freshly-printed books, the coffee, the pastries-it’s just a good atmosphere
Yeah. I don't even enjoy reading or drinking coffee but I always felt relaxed there. It always felt clean and inviting. There was ostensibly nothing for me there, I just liked being there.
@@lpnp9477 Yep, they've long partnered with Starbucks.
Great place to browse. So sad to see they can't survive in a digital world.
I ate too much.
The smell of book glue makes me poop. They have nice bathrooms
Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.
Welcome back from the dead.
Great. While you are still alive, please open cafes in the locations that don't have them. I don't like B&N without the cafes.
@@sid1gen not a bad request IF those cafes are NOT corrupt, politically driven corporations like Starbucks.
Although I always prefer just about any company to Amazon, I don't feel so bad that B&N declined due to their partnership with Starbucks who ironically is the Amazon of the coffee industry. Poetic justice indeed.
Why isn’t this top comment?
@@protestssopeacefulweneedad2017 B&N is a corporation, so I don't care what coffee they sell as long as they have a cafe. Not everything in life is a battle to the death against this or that. I don't want B&N to fold; I want it to thrive, and I want all their stores to have cafes so I can relax in them no matter where in the US I happen to be.
I think there's one fairly major event in the 2000's you didn't touch on that really boosted Barnes and Nobles: the explosive popularity of Harry Potter and its impact on the young adult literature industry. Yes, Harry Potter, Twilight, Hunger Games, Artemis Fowl and all that were a benefit to all bookstores, but Barnes and Nobles was in the best position to capitalize on it. I remember midnight book launches being huge events, and series-centric book clubs being hosted at the stores.
Their Harry Potter events are still fun to this day.
That helped Borders as well, thanks to Harry Potter, that chain could remain a few years more in operations
I went to the B&N HP midnight book launches! They were so fun.
@shawnieadams1319 I only got to go to one, the release of Order of the Phoenix at Borders. It was amazing, there were so many creative crafts, games and costumes. Just loved it. I also went to the midnight release of Cursed Child at Barnes and noble and had fun there too. It gave my little cousin a glimpse of what the Harry Potter release parties had been like
Good point. Is there anything similar nowadays? And events provide experiences that Amazon and online cannot offer. You could argue that the HP movies and theme park rides are an example of taking a “book” franchise and turning it into something that the online book store can’t compete with.
As someone who works in the publishing industry, the rise of manga definitely has impacted Barnes & Noble for the better. Especially within the last 3-4 years the boom was astonishing!
❤
I'm buying manga from right stuf anime (now known as "the crunchyroll store). Barnes abd noble is really creepy for the worst!
I'm happy to hear there's increased interest! I used to *love* Borders and Half Price Books in the 2000s, specifically for their manga. Barnes & Noble always felt higher end, which scared me away.
One Half Price is still open in my area. The manga selection is majorly downsized, but someone was almost always browsing what they do have. Myself included.
I love the new selections of manga that they have at Barnes and Nobles now!! I was sooo excited to see the shelves filled with my fav manga series.
As a public library employee, I would like to say we offer a lot of services :)
Libraries are awesome, definitely overlooked by most! They even have manga sections nowadays.
Not to mention huge graphic novel/comic book sections. And they can typically get books you might want/can’t find if you ask them! Best part is that it’s free! Libraries rule! 🎉
I love the library!
My local library has book clubs, 3d printing, borrowable craft kits, video games... they're SO underappreciated for what they are!
Libraries seem to be making a comeback lately. Though the book bans in some states targeting libraries and schools might give book stores an opportunity.
Because these states are likely not going to restrict what books the bookstores can sell.
there's something magical about walking into a physical bookstore and exploring all those books... I have to admit though that books are often cheaper on Amazon which is a bummer.
B&N is mad expensive
I feel the same. Man I enjoyed many Starbucks outings just browsing books and magazines. Same feeling as Blockbuster and CD DVD stores where you could listen to music before buying. Yes Barnes had a music DVD section where you could sample music. I know it sounds so antiquated now when everything is streaming on a phone. 😂
If you belong to their loyalty program, they can beat Amazon. You get free shipping on everything.
If you have their branded credit card, you can earn gift cards.
If you belong to their loyalty program, they can beat Amazon. You get free shipping on everything.
If you have their branded credit card, you can earn gift cards.
Books at B&N are more expensive than it is even on their own online store; and they won’t price match it 🤣🤷🏻♂️
Worked at B&N for a few years in college. A few things stuck out to me during my time there:
1. The lack of a coherent ecommerce strategy to stay competitive with Amazon
2. Trying to pivot too hard to ebooks with the Nook
3. Sticking too closely to MSRP with DVDs and music
Customers would just say, "I can get it cheaper or faster through Amazon" or, "Why would I buy a worse version of the Kindle?"
Yeah their e-commerce was fine but Amazon did it cheaper and had bigger selection. Still I enjoyed browsing at the stores and grabbing a Starbucks and it was a thing back in the 90s. Sadly around 2012 on as iPhone iPad big screen mobile all the stores in my area closed. They really tried everything but lost out to bigger competition. It isn't just Amazon but Apple got into the game with their iPad and convenient book purchase. Good times at Barnes and Noble.
So what I'm hearing is...
How good of a hook is a Nook cook book?
Not very good apparently.
In 2012, I went to a B&N location that had the movies True Romance and SE7EN in their music/video section, both on DVD. And both movies were priced at $20. Those same two movies were also at a Target, but on Blu-ray- at $10 each. If I buy any video at B&N, it's either during the 50% off Criterion sale, or anything that's either under $10 or at least 20% off.
Yeah i am a DVD/Blu-ray/4k collector. Got 1500+ titles. I NEVER buy from them. Way overpriced. I can get a bluray for $10 online yet B&N will charge $20-25 easy.
Anything other than music/movies is fine.
Yeah, a friend of mine was pushing some big B&N 50% off Criterion DVD's sale on their FB and I said "oh, great, so now it's just a little more expensive than buying on Amazon instead of ridiculously expensive!"
My first business was a used bookstore in the 90s and there was a lot of pressure to adopt the Barnes and Noble model of a relaxed, library feel with people sitting in comfy chairs and reading books. That did not sit well with a lot of used bookstore owners, who took the stance that they're running a business, not a library. Fast forward to today, I do see that library model being used by a lot of new and used bookstores. Usually, ones in trendy, hipster locations.
Yes - as a way to get people in, bookstores try to have events and a little sitting space for people to linger.
@@haleymist09 I'm not saying it's a terrible idea. I adopted it myself. But when you're a small bookstore, you can't absorb the cost of people using your store as a library as well as a corporate mega bookstore.
The small cafe/bookstore model has definitely taken off.
Yeah you have to offer that library feel to encourage visits and offer coffee and snacks to create a lounge atmosphere. If you don't the competition will and eat your lunch. Alot of stores added CD DVD merchandise. Sadly most of the stores I visited are all closed. They just can't survive in the era or internet and mobile. That being said a few used bookstores are still alive but not many.
I feel like used bookstores have a totally different vibe. A big store like B&N is where I go to find a nice new copy of a favored book or catch a new release. It's fun to wander and admire the spacious shelves and all the shiny covers. A used bookstore is where I can spend 3 hours poring over tightly packed shelves, before walking out with 10 titles I'm excited to read for less than $50 total. The often cramped feel adds to the sense of exploration.
There used to be used book stores that allowed you to trade books and or donate books towards the credit of other books of your choice. This was a treat for both myself and my mother. We enjoyed the library very much, but there was something special about owning a copy of your favorite books. We didn't have much money to buy books. This was a great option for us.
Going to Barnes and Noble was the equivalent of going out to eat for special occasions. We had to take the bus to get there. If we were able to purchase a book, which was not that often it was that much more special. I would run to the kid section and read and go through every book I could. Barnes and Noble were able to create this warm, cozy and inviting environment even though it was a large chain. Barnes and Noble is coveted. Thanks for this video.😊
There's still a used bookstore where I live that does that. It's been a lifesaver because books written now just suck and that's where I take said bad books for better.
I was book manager at one of these stores. Hastings. Horribly run. Came from Waldenbooks which was owned by Borders. They crashed because they made a deal with Amazon for online sales and that was the beginning of the end for both chains. Hastings also crashed for various reasons. I loved Borders and still love B&N. Also seek out small, locally owned stores.
You probably have one of those in your area still if you aren't in a very rural or suburban area. There are many where I am.
Theres a bookstore chain called 2nd and charles does book trade ins and used sales
My small town still has a locally run bookstore just as you describe. One of my favorite shops in town!
The Barnes and Noble closest to me was destroyed in a tornado in 2020. On Feb. 7th, 2024, they reopened in that town. Its amazing that you released this video on the same day as the grand reopening! Which I attended! I didnt think they would reopen due to Amazon overtaking the market, but Im so happy they are open again! I love visiting brick and mortar stores!!!
Hello fellow Jonesboro denizen!
Man don’t tell us that it got destroyed in a tornado!!! Think of what happened to all those books 😢
Amazon bans religious books and books that don't share their politics.
My town never had a Barnes and Noble, but it did have a Borders that existed for like, 4 years before they went bankrupt. A little over a decade later, in June 2023, Barnes and Noble opened a location, practically in the same spot as the old Borders. For the last few months that place has been popping and I regularly see a lot of people there when I go.
I like this channel because I always know what I'm going to get. 0 clickbait titles, tactics, or thumbnails. Just a high quality video.
YES! So hard to find quality channels like this one.
Agreed!
Indeed, easily one of the best channels I am subscribed too.
I agree. They do go overboard and they are being told they are, some tone it down, some don't. @@scrobin
@@vaderladyl I do like that he doesn't try to be a comedian, but of course "scandle" videos and "the fall of____" videos are click bait
Worked at B&N prior to the acquisition. One of the most annoying things was that we were primarily asked to try and hawk the memberships rather than focusing on the books, which definitely put some people off. When I last spoke to my old manager in 2022 or so it sounded like things were a lot better, as they had more control over the store and wasn’t being scrutinized over membership rates 24/7.
I remember a long time employee of another book chain store, (Borders?) said knowledge of books, authors meant little to management, they were more focused on clocking employees on their trying to sell impulse products, (candy, snacks, etc.) at the check out counter.
Membership? I didn't know they have that. What does this give you?
@@jonfreeman9682Two tiers, both give you 10% discount and points that you can use for further discounts. Its neat
I actually got in an argument at the checkout over just this years ago. The lady would not ring me up, just kept insisting I get a membership. I finally turned around and asked the guy behind me if he had a membership and did he want to put the purchase under his account to get the points. He said yes.
Turned a 2 minute transaction into 10 minutes and was the last time I ever bought a book from B&N.
@@steverogers8163 There are viral rants online as customers have similar problems at Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, etc. It's not the clerk's fault, the are put under a lot of pressure to sign you up. At the end of the day, the clerks are not being clocked on how much merchandise they have sold/processed, but only how many memberships, cards, impulse gifts they have sold. That is what determines their job security, pay, and promotion potential.
I’m ngl, I think what’s keeping them alive these days is the popularity of Japanese manga and East Asian media these days
These days, is Japanese your first language these days?
kinda depends on how well stocked they keep the manga though. idk about B&N, but I started to read manga when Borders was still around, and most of the times they'd never have all volumes of a manga if it was one that was long running, like shonen manga. Volume numbers would be missing, and etc.
@@user-vg5mung5764hgftjLmao bait
@@user-vg5mung5764hgftj go flip through a few pages of Berserk and tell me that’s made for children.
O ya I am thankful for them in my area I have seen that section grow year after year it used to be so small and now it is very large
As a teenager I loved hanging out at the B&N at 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. It was a huge, three-floor store with all the amenities mentioned in the video. I’d go there on weekends and spend the whole day. I’d get a stack of books, find a comfy chair, and just read.
Many people don’t have easy access to bookstores, books can get pricey, and some people don’t like reading.
I totally understand why many people prefer getting their books from Amazon (lower price + convenience) or just getting the ebook, but for me, a crucial part of the book-buying experience was being in the physical space, being surrounded by books, holding the book in your hands, that unique smell (if you know, you know). A day spent in the bookstore was a good day.
I read last fall that B&N is planning to return to 3rd Street Promenade! That’s wonderful but I can’t find a date for the grand opening, or if it’s still happening. I sure hope so. 📚
But your reading didn't support or boost the store. The point of the store is to sell books, not be a library.
Good memories there also , same with The Grove. I highly doubt 3rd St. will reopen..that area has been dead for a while .
I couldn't agree more. Book readers like coziness. I wish they had chairs and seating areas through out the stores. Now when I go I feel rushed to buy a book and leave.
@@HallowEve8 B&N sells books. It is not a library. To read, go somewhere else.
Too many homeless at libraries, and they can't get thrown out.
With the benefit of hindsight, the Nook should’ve just been an app to download on your existing smartphone device with a slicker interface than the competition. It’s much cheaper than developing hardware.
The sizable Barnes & Noble superstore nearby where I live recently underwent downsizing, relocating from its large standalone location to a smaller space within a strip mall. Its new footprint bears a striking resemblance to the size of old bookstores like Waldenbooks and B. Dalton, which were phased out in the 90s in favor of larger superstores. It's a reminder of how trends can come full circle.
There's a huge, 2-story B&N in Kansas City that I was at once. I could have spent all day there. It was in 2022, when that county was enforcing masking, which I refused to do. B&N was leaving us alone to browse and shop, which I enjoyed. Great store!!
This is exactly what happened to one in my area!! Word on the street near me, is that the owner of the actual building that the Barnes and Noble used to be in wanted a Cheesecake Factory put in, so they basically kicked B&N out. They reopened in a smaller location pretty close by, but it was sad to see the big store close.
Same thing by me
I don't care what name is on a bookstore -- I'm just happy enough to see ANY bookstore. 😍
As half of the company, I beg your pardon
@@noble604 Oh, I'm sorry for the indelicate remark. I was distracted by the Amazon delivery driver. What was that?
It is less than ideal that I’m second in our name to begin with. The original name was *_NOBLE_* (in all caps and very bright lights that could be seen from space) and little “barnes” ... but that’s neither here nor there. Barnes and I agreed to just do it alphabetically. And I’m not still upset at that .... or at this silly alphabet system we have. Who started that thing and why? It’s such a silly system. Really, I’m over all of that. Please just tell all your friends to refer to us as *_NOBLE_* with a shout and a whisper of a tiny little barnes in the future. Thanks
I'm a library person but B&N always has a special place in my heart. I have always been a huge book lover and never got into e-readers because I love turning the pages and it's good to get off electronics sometimes. B&N is extremely expensive which is why i frequent the library these days, but there is always something magical about walking into a bookstore with my mom at Christmastime!!
It truly is and I have fond memories of browsing books grabbing a Starbucks. Same nostalgia I felt at Blockbuster and CD DVD stores. Good times just hanging out. Now I dunno where young people go to hangout.
I have fond memories as well
walking around B&N on the lower level using their restrooms buying so many Dupont Regristy Magazines
Books and CD’s back then. I also had a card from them when i was in High School.
I have friends who bought Kindles and Nooks as soon as they arrived on the landscape. These amigos were always about the new trends and technology.
And some of them actually still use them, as they are very convenient for travel.
But it has been interesting to see how many people are going back to the tradition of wanting to hold a book in their hand.
Even some of these aforementioned friends. While they keep the Kindle for travel, they are also going back to that tradition of buying books again. And I'm glad to see that.
Personally, I was never one to take to the Kindle, only because as a literature major at university, I always felt this special bond with books. I loved the looks of them, the aromas of their pages, and the feel of them in my hand.
I do wonder if B&N isn't hanging on because we still have readers like myself who like to have that book in hand. You also have book lovers who own Kindles but are also trending back to having some hard copies at hand as well.
Not to mention bookstores are also places to go to be social in certain respects. They are a place where we can interact with others, even if maybe we don't speak to them all the time while we're there.
Trends come and go. And I know the Nook and Kindle will always be a popular method of obtaining books for many.
But I do hope bookstores hang around. For a very long while.
I just wish that the smaller establishments hadn't been absorbed and/or overpowered by the conglomerates and commercial entities that are these major bookstores. Again as the video here points out, think "You've Got Mail."
But even if I don't like how these corporate bookstores have put the smaller bookstores out of business themselves, I certainly don't want the Amazons of the world to put B&N out to pasture either.
In closing, I will say that I think it would be nice if they reduced the prices of their books a bit. It can be tempting to pay so much less for a book at Amazon.
I'm sure the overhead that landed stores such as B&N have to consider though makes it a more pricey endeavor.
It would still be nice if bookstores like B&N could drop their prices to match Amazon a little more closely. Maybe they stay in the game more solidly for even more years to come.
It would be even nicer if some of the smaller bookstores like Shakespeare and Company in NYC had been able to square off against the big boys too. I know S&C still exists in NY, but there are fewer stores now. And that's sad. There is a lot to be said for the intimacy of your good old neighborhood bookstore!
I’ve done some reading on this, as I’m a big reader, and supporter of Barnes and Noble. And it’s a possibility that Amazon is driving their prices too low for now, in order to play the long game and drive out their competitors.
Amazon has so many other departments that make them a ton of money, that they don’t have to be too concerned about their book sector in the short term if they can benefit from it in the long run
I loved the Walden Books at the mall near me, from first grade on I’d always have my mom take me to get the new Goosebumps book, and they had a great display. I remember being excited turning the corner to see the newest book out. I’m 37 now and I’m still actively reading so that definitely sparked my original interest
I was in a B&N 2 months ago. Almost every book was 5 to 15$ more expensive then amazon sold it for.
Yeah but you get it in better condition than from amazon
Yeah. But I'd say they likely pay their employees better. But who cares about people's wages.
@@MasterMalrubiusthis is right! I don't shop from Amazon. I've had to work for them before. they need to unionize.
they had to. they are paying employees, lights, store rents.
People are saying it's because of wages and rental space and such, but that doesn't change the fact that that's probably why people stopped shopping there and is now falling from relevancy.
I used to work for the southern bookstore chain Books-A-Million. Since that chain began downsizing and closing stores, I began going to Barnes & Noble. I really do enjoy Barnes & Noble for my book needs
What really killed most of these was the lack of a culinary selection.
I enjoyed going to my local Barnes and Noble, especially because it had a Starbucks in it. I used to read books and magazines while eating a giant cookie there. Nowadays, that Barnes and Noble became a TJ Maxx.
Was it the one by St John's University? Because that was a LOSS to the community at large. I was forced to go to Nassau Co instead of a 5 minute drive down the road.
Yeah me too. I would get a couple Starbucks and enjoy browsing their magazine racks. They encourage it. Sadly they've all closed in my area.
@@jonfreeman9682 I feel lucky the two in my area now do a solid business.
When we lived in Burlington Vermont 20 years ago my wife and I would go to the huge B&N across from University Mall and browse for hours. It just felt like nothing else. Books and coffee and warm vibes. They had a great discount book section downstairs and huge windows upstairs where you could see outside the snow and cold and darkness. “Shopping” on line has nothing on these memories.
I live in Vermont and have visited the B&N you spoke of in Burlington. The one negative critique I have is the condition of the building: it is old and falling apart. In just the past 18 months it has had a leaky roof, floor repair, broken escalator, and a broken restroom. Time to completely renovate the building, if they plan to stay at that location.
Agreed
Me and my kids ( 13 yrs old and up)go there all the time, and it's always busy. It is one of the few places that we don't feel rushed.
This was my safe haven as a young adult. I hope they stick around. I love their special editions of books and just general atmosphere.
I used to be a Cafe manager at Joe Muggs inside Books A Million and worked at Waldenbooks as a teenager. Personally in this world devoid of third spaces, casual places where people are allowed to linger, I find bookstores to be more valuable than ever. And if you just got The Cranberries stuck in your head, you're welcome😊
I miss Waldenbooks! The hours, and the money, I spent there when I was younger... precious memories.
Joe Muggs 🦍 that coffee is ⬇️. No veteran discount either!
Why should someone get a discount for killing kids? @@DavidLLambertmobile
Do you have to, do you have to?
I worked at Books A Million for a few summers as a teenager. You just brought me back to that era. 😂
Fun facts: U.S.-based Barnes & Nobile is the world's largest bookstore chain with 630+ locations.
The world's largest bookstore today is Powell’s City of Books in Portland, Oregon.
The world's largest online bookstore is U.S. based Amazon.
And the world's largest library is the Library of Congress in Washington DC.
The more you know. 🙂🌈
I visited Powell's in Portland (there is a Powell's in Chicago as well), four times in the year that I lived in Oregon. I never had enough time to really check the entire store. Great place. They provide maps so you don'y get lost inside, and the areas are color-coded. Their foreign language section is small and rather uninteresting, sadly, and parking is a problem.
My local store removed half the books and started selling overpriced toys. I am not at the bookstore for overpriced toys I am at the bookstore for books. I quit going I am so disgusted.
I buy the vast majority of my books as ebooks, cheap, on Amazon. Owning a lot of _physical_ books is slowly turning into a luxury for a lot of people.
Amazon isn't as price competitive as it wants people to think.
B&N stores, in Houston, are in wealthier neighborhoods. What I miss are good _used_ book stores, close to where I live. People talk a lot less about what they're reading than they used to.
The Nook really hurt them. I remember about 7-8 years ago they were still holding onto the idea of the Nook as a tablet, but they started selling them as Samsung tablets with Nook software on it.
Not to mention the Kindle/Amazon combo is much superior.
I remember when there used to be a giant Barnes & Noble near where I used to live. I used to love to go there with my mom to just go around reading even when we didn't get anything. It closed around 2017 for a furniture store to take its place. I'm still slightly mad about it closing since it was such a large part of my childhood.
That sounds really wholesome and nice. It sounds like your mom is a really good parent. 🙂
Not surprising they went out of business then.
I used to work at Books-A-Million (competitor to B&N). That would make another fascinating episode.
Are they still around? Didn't they get beaten out by Barnes? They were a smaller chain.
@@jonfreeman9682There's one in Park City mall in Lancaster, Pennsylvania! I make sure to go in every time I'm at the mall. ❤
@@ThatCoolPsychNurse Seriously? Wow please support it while you can. I try to support the few remaining bookstores especially the used book stores. There's still a few around but they're hurting.
@@jonfreeman9682They've started a chain of used book stores called 2nd And Charles. They're pretty interesting, they have movies, records, and video games too.
@@jonfreeman9682 There's two in my city still.
Barnes & Noble (at least in NYC) used to be the best bookstore for technical / nonfiction books. They had a huge selection of those types of books, as well as numerous book discussions / signings, & also music cds. The flagship store on 5th avenue (now closed) was loaded with college books. Across the street in their annex you could buy secondhand books at deep discounts. The problem I have with B&N now is their website is not user-friendly. I find myself bypassing them in favor of Amazon since it is easier to navigate & find what I am looking for. The problem nowadays is the younger generation basically reads on their cell phones (or other devices) & they seldom buy music cds.
Their website is subpar, for sure. My biggest complaint, though, is that they have fewer books in favor of toys, puzzles, and other non-book items. It used to be a treat to browse the shelves and discover new titles and authors but now one can basically only find the latest titles by big-name authors--plus loads of cheesy discount/bargain items.
The B&N near us just moved down 1 block and into a smaller building. It makes sense, their square footage was a lot before, a lot of empty walk space. I think that move will help that store. The new store is updated too with fresh interior and design.
Back in the 00's I worked at both Barnes and Noble AND B. Dalton. I enjoyed the job for the most part: my coworkers were cool, I got free books and magazines, even worked in the Starbucks cafe'. Good memories.
When it comes to ereaders I went for the kobo. The nook was difficult to get in the UK. Kobo allowed me to store and read pdfs as well as ebooks. This was important as it allowed me to carry thousands of engineering books on the sd card when I studying for my engineering degree.
Got me in the 1st half, not gonna lie. Thought you would be reading engineering books for a law degree lol
Lived in a town with a B&N once. It was a mess. Management was absolutely godawful, prices were ridiculously high compared to places, the cafe area was always dirty, and a giant safety hazard due to be constantly understaffed with poorly-trained employees who didn't have the time, help, experience, or resources to properly upkeep it, and there were constantly new workers because the turnover was massive. Last time I heard it was closed years ago, and is now some other store.
@@user-vg5mung5764hgftj Listen, if my car ever gets to the point where things were as bad as they were there, I won't be.
@@user-vg5mung5764hgftj Lol whatever you say bro
One of my favorite childhood memories is going into a family owned bookstore by my grandma's house called woodwards. this would have been in the 90s and early 2000s. It was my favorite place to go in the mall and I would gladly run across the hall into it whenever my mom and or grandma were buisy getting a haircut. I would snoop around before finding my way to the kids section to find something. Then I would sit and read for a bit before grabbing my mom and getting her to buy me whatever I read as I didn't have my own money yet. The "sitting area" was four plastic kids chairs and a matching table. In the front of the store, they had a bunch of bins, I think maybe 4 filled with books. I think one was clearance, one was new books or series, one was popular books, and the last one was a mixture of hard to find or rare books and books they didn't really have a section for. Behind that was all the adult fiction books. The kids books were all along the side wall and they sold yarn on the back wall. Later on, they added a section for manga. It was one tiny shelf above the register and you had to ask an employee to get one down for you. You couldn't look at it until you bought it. There were only 5 or 6 manga volumes at a time, usually from 2 or 3 different series. I bought them out of manga one time and got volumes 1,3, and 8 of inuyasha and I think volumes 11 and 14 of bleach. I also saw a copy of mien kamf in that bin one time. I still regret listening to my mom and not buying it when I had the chance. I had no intention of ever reading it mind you, but just that coolness factor to say like "I have this piece of history." They closed like a year after I saw it. Its been almost 20 years since then and I still miss that store. To this day the mall is still open, but i don't think anything was ever in that particular storefront. As things stand I live in the area now but I have to travel 60 miles to find anything like a book store and then its a barnes and noble. It serves as my holy grail of book stores mostly because its my only option besides online.
Physical books are more of a novelty these days and are rapidly being phased out by digital media.
That absolutely sucks because that just means more and more people will be glued to their phones & other gadgets. I'm sticking with physical books, drawing, painting, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, pretty soon sudokus, etc. so this way I'm less dependant on technology for entertainment. This is coming from a Gen-Zer btw.
@@CreationForeverMinistries Electronic mediums will be more smoothly integrated into our lives, and less noticeable. Smart glasses, holographic displays, smart tables and even smart fabrics can all be places to read up on or see your preferred content. At this stage it is very difficult to justify the use of paper for consuming media because it is not easy to renew the trees from which it comes from. Also consider that a library, weighing hundreds of pounds, could all fit into a microchip that can store millions of times more media than that entire physical library was comprised of.
@@ROBLOXTHANOS Spending too much time on a phone is unhealthy. It's why I prefer non-electronic books, drawing, painting, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, other types of art, etc. Plus, it's also more relaxing too. Also, lumber farms are there so this way we can still enjoy the non-electronic stuff. I've become more of a non-electronic type of dude.
@@CreationForeverMinistries There is a real danger associated with blue and violet light as it can penetrate the skin and damage your cells, but electronic displays will become less invasive and obstructive. Imagine a faint hologram displaying a few paragraphs of text that is several feet away from you, not really in your way or bothering you. Imagine being able to scroll through this text with a hand gesture, eye gesture, or even a thought from your mind.
Electronics are indeed cumbersome and awkward to use by the standards of the future. You just need to be the master of your own tech, and remember it’s your tool, and nothing more.
@@CreationForeverMinistries Gatekeeping much? I don't know why people get such a boner for physical media when you can get the exact same content without any of the negatives like taking up space and possible damage.
I preferred Borders growing up, but Barnes and Noble has a special place in my heart. Their manga section (at least for some of the stores near me) is fantastic. I love going there to just look at the interesting titles I have not heard of
That's the big advantage of physical stores in my opinion-it's much easier to come across something you might never have heard of or been interested in but catches your attention.
I preferred Borders, too. I worked at both. Borders had a more laidback atmosphere which I appreciated as a teenager/young adult.
Mine was Borders too as it was the only big franchise in my country, but I also frequented the used book market and the local book stores.
Luckily both my house and college are relatively near B&N locations, so I can still call it my favorite store in the world. I still love to go and just wander about, eat from the cafe, look through all my favorite book genres, revisit the kids section, or even just stop by the LEGO area to see what's new.
Really they're still around? About 90% of the stores are closed.
@@jonfreeman9682 What do you mean? There are multiple ones near where I live. And looking at the chart in the video, they've only lost about 15% of their locations from their peak.
Chances are, if you lived near a Barnes and Noble fifteen-twenty years ago, there's still one close by.
@@JonSmith-hk1bq Oh okay you're right. Guess in suburbs outside the city there's not enough business so they shut down but the central locations they've kept open. There used to be a bunch of used bookstores I visit that have all closed down along with Barnes in my area. But great to see they're still around. Didn't think they would survive this long.
I usually go there just to see if they have obscure books there. Occasionally I would see one book from an author that isn’t popular or mainstream. Like Slapstick or Lonesome No More or The Ugly Swans.
There is one in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. I prefer bookstores when I look for reading material. Love to browse the shelves. Plus, I just like to hold a book in my hands and turn the pages. Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but then, I'm soon to be 72.
I'm a young man myself, and I prefer scanning/reading physical books than reading e-books. long live physical books!
They just opened a B & N in Wallingford, CT this week. My mom and I went yesterday when it was raining cats & dogs. The place was very busy and the staff was helpful and friendly. They took over a previously standing building in a great location. I hope it succeeds.
I like going to B&N but they’ve sure made it difficult. Since 2012 they’ve shut down the nearest 3 stores. Now it’s a bit of a drive to get to one, and the ones remaining are in busy overcrowded shopping centers I’d rather avoid. I’ve bought tons of stuff over the years, did what I can do.
Our mall had a waldenbooks. It changed to boarders. Now a BAM. It got worse and worse and I switched to ebooks. Barnes and Noble stores were in bigger cities. I went Barnes and Noble ebook because I disliked Amazon. But lately I buying more from Amazon because nook doesn't carry the books I want to read.
* Borders
I always liked Borders a lot more than B&N. Bookstores in general are in decline because people are buying online, or using online platforms, not paper books. It's sad to me, I spent a lot of time in bookstores as a teen. Great video, thanks!
Yeah, though you did post a video last year on the decline of Borders...now this. I seem to think they're rising again with newly renovated and relocated locations.
Always loved how spacious Borders was, or at least the one that used to be near my place was
@@zippolighter4903 Same here, I miss Borders. Their coffee was better than Starbucks.
@@lilitharam44 That was Seattle's Best.
Right! Unfortunately, those day people who use Amazon for their entire existence will say, “there aren’t any options for anything, there’s just a Amazon”. Well… you did contribute to that so 🤷🏾♀️
I get a few things from Amazon but I don’t like to use it for my source of everything. I would much rather go to Ross for clothing that Amazon.
I went to a B&N a couple months ago. I absolutely loved visiting it again since I hadn't been to one in years. It's nice to go and just idly browse, take in the numerous books, and the smell of parchment.
What broke my heart were the teenagers inside saying "I can find this cheaper on Amazon" and complaining yet kept loitering around. They had no intentions on buying anything, they weren't there to enjoy themselves and see if they could find something they might like -- they were just there to loiter and take selfies. It broke my heart.
Lately I’ve been buying books from thrift books if I can, many are very good quality at lower prices than new from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Growing up in the pre-internet era I have so many fond memories of mom and pop local rural or suburban bookstores. One may have been a mall chain, Book and Record. I’d browse for books, music, tchotchkes. Also in the later 80s I liked Brentano’s, for some reason it made me feel like I was in a sophisticated urban bookstore even though it was at the mall.
Our BnN in Manassas, Va is in the process of downsizing their building and moving 5 miles down the road to a much smaller store. Like 1/10th the size. While I’m glad they’re sticking around it sucks. They had been there well over 30 years and loved going in to just chill, hangout with friends, flipping thru magazines, talking sports or current events at the cafe with a danish and drink. I also worked at Borders during the holiday in the late 90s thru early 2000s and don’t prefer one over the other, but I remember the kindle and other online book readers. There’s something about having the hard copy in your hands though.
One of our local ones (I've never been but it's two-story) is relocating too in a shopping center but it is going to be much bigger than the other one.
This video makes me want to go to a B&N. I went on several dates with my husband to B&N, to get coffee and browse books. Good memories 😍
The Barnes and Nobles I go to seems to be doing pretty well, I always see a good number of people in there.
Here too. I see them busy a lot.
I thought the same thing about the one where I would spend ~$100 every other month, until it wasn't there anymore the next time I went. It was always full of people and had a lot of employees, closed out of the blue.
@@asteroidmonger that sux. Maybe something behind the scenes.
I grew up going to the 5th Ave. Barnes. Dad would drop me off and work around the city and come back and pick me up hours later. The annex across the street had some really good books as well. I think the main store was some 5 stories high. It was like my favorite library. Glad they have outlasted all the others. I've been to Barnes from all over New England to Florida to Montana and California. Just like hanging out there.
I remember B. Dalton. In the 70's that was my book store of choice to go in the malls.
I always wondered what happened to them.
Bought by Barnes and Noble. I also used to always go to B Dalton. They had the biggest selection of Cliffs Notes (remember those?)
Barnes and Noble’s business model is mostly antiquated! Even though they survived thanks to their niche market of books and vinyl records! They’re not as big as they once were, but they still are a fun place to shop, I went to B&N last month and found some books on video games and photography! It’s good they’re still in business.
I worked for B&N three times, twice under the B. Dalton banner and once under Barnes & Noble. I dunno what happened between my Dalton stints and B&N, but the management between the two couldn't be more different if you'd magnetize them. B&N management retaliated against ideas, at least in my district, and faltered in their response to Amazon and other competitors. Either way, B&N faltered trying to transition into a motif that couldn't be sustained in a capitalist society.
In 2007 I remember going to my local Barnes & Nobles with my parents to pick up a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
It was the midnight release of the book and a very fond memory. We had to get a ticket and hope they had enough copies available by the time our number was called so we could buy a copy.
I feel bad for the younger generation now who will never get to experience something like this with physical books now that were heading towards the 100% online digital age.
For what it's worth, the Harry Potter phenomenon was a unique moment in history. Nothing like it in the literary world before or since.
In my neck of the woods, there was a small bookstore called Book People, then came Towers Books and Music, next came Barnes and Noble. Later i found in other areas of my city BAM, Borders. We found in shopping mall B. Dalton and Waltonbooks. My favorite was that small bookstore that had the vibe of an old style bookstore. You could sit in there and read your book and drink coffee.
just like the big brand bookstore used to have.
One of the last independent book stores here in the south SF bay area, shut down a few years ago . Book buyers , they had vintage collectible books , dvds , blu-ray , CDs , and even VHS . The place was a gem .
There was a store called Hastings that was the first type of store like this in my hometown. Borders and Barnes and Nobles both came in shortly after.
They were all pretty fun and had a great run in the late 90s and early 2000s. I believe all three are closed now.
Hastings was the best. It was the nerd hang out for my hometown. It hurt hard when they went out of business, my hometown still lacks a book, comic, card game, ttrpg shop to this day
I so remember Hastings! They carried nor only books but a great selection of DVDs and even (gasp!) music CDs. Those were the days!
@@boomerbear7596 yeah man mine also had a great video game section in the late 90s for PC games, it’s where I always picked up new games. They also put in a little coffee shop that made really good frozen coffee drinks. I also remember listening to CDs at those little listening stations that had headphones.
I went to Barnes and Noble in Gadsden, AL a few weeks ago and the place was packed. It took me like 30 minutes to pay for my stuff in the checkout line 😂
This was my place in middle school. I’d run down to the store and hide in the little nook and just people watch, all the time. Then I’d get a book, and add it to my bookshelf- usually something like A Christmas Carol or Peter Pan, but they were small enough where I could carry them around in my book bag.
I remember B. Dalton bookstores in the local malls. I also have my old Nook HD+. Fun times.
Yep. We had one at our local mall, but they closed about 14-15 years ago. It was pretty small.
The two B&N stores in a town around me have taken different paths:
1. One was in an old bowling alley and was beloved by everyone, having a kind of tiered floor plan. It was closed last year due to the owner of the building jacking up the rent. Now the building sits abandoned because he can't get anyone into it. Go figure.
2. The other is a kind of prototype store. It's in a much smaller location than most B&N stores, and doesn't have a ton of space for actual books and such, but does have a lot of areas for just hanging out, the cafe, etc.
Use to think it was the coolest place when I was younger.
The Barnes and Nobles store near my home is still doing well.
And the other one in Long Beach are doing fine.
I am not saying that B&N are in a decline. Just downsizing by focusing on remodeling the stores and changing the objective.
We already lost a number of major book stores like Borders & B&N problems started long after Amazon took off.
I'm hoping they can weather the storm & hang on.
I was a regular customer st Crown Books, B. Dalton Bookseller, Waldenbooks, Borders and Barnes and Noble. I'm now 58, and I've Bern reading since I was 3.
In 2012 I went legally blind from a hydrocephalus attack that zapped both optic nerves and left me with 30% vision. Going to B&N didn't make sense for me anymore. I now rely on the Echo and the Kinfle, because I use my ears for about half of my reading.
Did I love B&N? Yes. But they don't have a lot of stuff Gor customers like me.
Used to love going there for the smell of the books in the coffee. Then they pulled out all the comfy chairs and you have to stand if you want to stay since then I may be visit once a year.
There's a B&N in the city I used to live in. They're in an old, art-deco/Moderne style building that just feels...*nice*.
I go into a B&N about twice a year to buy gifts - giving someone a physical book is still a great thing.
As a young girl, while my mother was attending university she was a major bibliophile. We used to patronize the one on 5th Ave and 17th Street. I remember their discounted books, and there was a large bin where if you brought in books. You could take books from the bin for free. That Barnes and Noble is now gone. Like so many of NYC historical places.
Great video, thank you! Back in the day, my top 3 bookstores were Crown Books, Borders, and B&N, in that order. Crown was the first to go. I spent more time at Borders because they were closer to my house, but I remember B&N had a bit more of an... "upscale" feel to it. Anyway, of the 3, B&N is all that's left, so that's where I go when I need to. If you ever get a chance to do a video on Crown Books, I'd love to see that. Thanks!
B&N is great! The store near me is always packed and has a great atmosphere. I love opening the double doors to a wonder scent of the store and to the great employees as well. I know that online shopping has made it hard for retailers but for me as a book lover it’s hard to see B&N decline.
Barnes and Noble isn't the physically largest bookstore. A Google search says that's Powell's
Ok well thanks google
Powell's >>>>>>>>>...>>>>>>>> B&N
Powell's is a single store not a chain. It is the best store in the world 5 stories of greatness
@@andrewputnam2717 It's documented to be the largest independent bookstore. Also according to the Powell's site there are 3 or 4 other stores you don't know about. It's normal for people. Too many people are stupid enough to think Downtown Portland is the only part of Portland
I definitely think B&N (and the industry as a whole) are benefitting from the rise of tiktok and 'aesthetication' of reading. A lot more people, young people especially, are identifying themselves as a reader compared to early 2010s. People are buying more physical books not necessarily to read, but to collect. Even those that primarily enjoy audiobooks and kindles end up getting the physical copy, just to fill their bookshelves.
The question is whether this trend will hold in 10 and 20 years.
I always called them "Barnes & Chernobyl."
No one else seems to find it as funny as I did, but whatever. I make myself laugh.
Yep, same here where I live....doing well. I guess that's just not the case everywhere.
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I know what you mean at their peak they killed off competing bookstores. That is until Barnes and Noble main competitor is Amazon who is also fighting against Walmart and Target for Big Box Store.
I give your joke a 3.6 ... not great, not terrible
Other humans are allowed to have their own sense of humor.
Also, mirthless people like you are even funnier when they don't find something funny.
It's absolutely hilarious that you're so bent about it that you felt compelled to make a comment on a youtube video about how you didn't fund something funny.
@@user-vg5mung5764hgftj
😂😂😂😂
When my sons were at elementary school, our local B&N, would have a book evening occasionally. Where the store was open exclusively to our school. It worked on several levels, parents and teachers met in a relaxed environment, children got comfortable with going to a book store and it was a fundraiser for the school with part of the sales going to the school.
I always thought Borders had better prices, more variety, and obscure titles. They also invested better in CDs for any tastes including classical. B&N just feels like a toy store with a lot of books now, I'll go in and browse if I'm near one but I rarely buy anything. Occasionally a book, bluray or cd will be cheaper there than Amazon, so it's worth popping in once in a while. Great video as always CompanyMan.
All too bad I like Barnes & Noble. It’s such a vibe going in there.
Literally it’s a bad company ethically but I love just being there
The smell alone is worth a visit. The freshly printed books, the coffee, the pastries. It’s just a good atmosphere
The vibe no longer does it for me that I would always leave empty handed within each visit
Thanks for finally doing this one! As a former employee, I can tell you that the company still doesn't feel super secure. Their comeback is primarily due to the popularity of Manga and Anime, currently. It will be interesting to see what they continue to do with this boon.
I live near a large B&N, and it is quite busy on a regular basis. Beyond the ability to see, peruse, and buy your reading materials immediately in the brick-and-mortar store, going to this B&N is an experience..... and I believe there is still strong value in this experience. We usually get drinks at the Starbucks.... my wife occasionally buys paperback books. She likes this format better than digital. There is sometime special about sitting among the books and magazines and being able to flip through the pages of multiple books and magazines while sipping our drinks.
Fun fact: Daunt Books owns The Marlow Bookshop, labelled for marketing reasons an "independent bookshop". It's my local bookshop.
In the late 90s, groups of us from my high school used to have study sessions at Barnes & Noble, but they closed down years ago here in Montgomery. We still have a Books-A-Million. I also remember both Waldenbooks and B. Dalton bookstores in our malls. Good times.
Edit: Tinkering with the sentencing, since someone pointed it out for me, feel free to let me know if there’s anything else I need to change
I grew up with Barnes & Noble’s and a little bit of borders while lived in Colorado, i love going there and just picking up a book and sitting down somewhere to relax.
I was bummed to see Borders go, but happy to know that Barnes & Noble‘s is still chugging along,
It’s chill vibes are addictive and i get a craving to go back every once in a while
@@user-vg5mung5764hgftj That might be due to the fact that i use voice to text since my writing is so slow, i was also in a hurry at the time because i was busy
Edit: Better?
they have college bookstores in a chokehold
Just went to one for the first time a few days ago. Really liked their selection of not just books, but all kinds of things like movies, toys and more. Their prices on the other hand could be better.
It still hurts knowing i can't visit the Columbia SC superstore branch anymore. As odd as it is to say, it was a treasured piece of my teen years that I'll always look back on with fondness.
Anyone else remember the specific smell B & N had? I used to spend so much time there reading magazines
There prices are to high.
I've been a huge Barnes & Noble junkie for at least 30 years. Still go to my favorite store at South Hills Village Mall about once every two weeks. Love the vibe, the café, and of course, my favorite Russian and English literature paperbacks at 5 or 6 bucks a pop. I sincerely hope Barnes & Noble never closes their doors; at 60, I've spent half my life going there.
My town had both a Borders and a B&N, but no more. The Borders is gone for obvious reasons, but as for the B&N, that was closed to make way for an Aldi's. They were supposedly going to re-open in town in the future, but I think at this point that's not happening anytime soon. Meanwhile, the local bookstore that closed 20 years ago has risen from the ashes like a phoenix and has reopened again, so we're not entirely without a bookstore right now.
I don't have a "local" book store that sells new books (I love Half Priced Books, but their selection can be really hit or miss) and I hate ordering things from Amazon unless it's not available anywhere nearby, so ever since we had our daughter 3 years ago, we've been going to Barnes and Nobles almost every other week, with a trip to the library taking up the times between those visits. I like going there for the board games and children's books and the folks who work there have been nothing but helpful and friendly.
I just took my niece to Barnes and Noble and she was excited to get a physical book! I will continue to buy physical books as long as I can!
I have a lot of fond memories of Barnes and Noble. Every year the high school jazz band I was in would go to B&N and play music in the cafe. Always loved looking around after in the toys or music or at the books, but now the other B&N near me has recently moved from the big store they were in to a smaller one nearby in the mall. The location is more convenient but the store overall feels worse, it’s smaller, no seats (outside of the cafe), and it’s incredibly cramped there’s so many tables in this smaller space. Plus the overall vibe isn’t for me, feels like an airport bookstore.
I love going to B & N but whenever I go, I only get maybe 3 books. 90% of the time I look at the price and look on Amazon, only to find that the book is nearly half price on Amazon.
I worked for B&N from 1999 - 2003. Customers were already accustomed/spoiled by Internet immediacy. Corporate gave us regrettably tiny payroll budgets (a cafe server, a single cashier, and a manager-20,000 square foot store). Customers frequently staged fits or demeaned me with hateful insults because of the scarcity of booksellers. I quit in a rage after they told me my budget was further cut. How could I further economize? Side note, there were always other important jobs like product returns or displays, so I tried to catch up on my own time between midnight and 6am.
A further slap in the face was seeing four employees on site at a 1500 square foot Swatch store. There might have been more in the back. How many customers need help with visibly displayed watch more than book customers with only one word of a five word title?
My wife adores B&N. Every year for her birthday she goes on a "shopping spree", buying 20-30 books in one go. As long as people like her exist, B&N will be profitable.