Monday, I had an opportunity to visit the newly redesigned and recently relocated Barnes & Noble Bookstore now located at Concord Square in Wilmington.
I was greeted warmly by the store manager Lori, who gave me a guided tour of the new prototype bookstore in Wilmington Delaware.
According to the press release:
Barnes & Noble Opens New Store Prototype in Wilmington, Delaware, at Concord Square WILMINGTON, DEL. — (July 1, 2019) — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest retail bookseller, today announced that a new prototype store at Concord Square in Wilmington, Delaware, will open its doors this morning. This is the Company’s first new prototype store to open in Delaware.
“We are thrilled to continue to serve the Wilmington community by launching a new prototype store at Concord Square,” said Frank Morabito, Vice President, Stores, Barnes & Noble. “This new prototype is part of our ongoing testing of new stores across the country and offers a clean, contemporary design that is easy to shop and friendly to our customers. It features a full assortment of books at its core, with an amazing selection of educational toys and games, family games and puzzles, and curated gift items for avid readers.”
The store features modern design aesthetics, including oak bookshelves and a mix of wood-grain tile and carpet throughout. Lower profile bookshelves provide customers with a panoramic view of the store, contributing to an open and airy feel. Two large “book theaters” invite customers to discover books in a new 360-degree experience. Illuminated bookcases are incorporated into the store to further enhance discovery.
The Children’s Section – with a LEGO® activity table and dedicated Storytime space – creates a special environment for Barnes & Noble’s youngest customers. A whimsical “jungle gym” display feature, built specially for toys, adds a sense of fun to the space.
From community seating around a table to individual comfortable chairs, customers of all ages have a variety of seating options throughout the store, allowing them to curl up alone with a good book or gather with a small group of friends.
The Café at Barnes & Noble Wilmington features a brand-new look and offers a wide selection of Starbucks®beverages, including nitro coffee, in addition to fresh baked goods, savory sandwiches, flatbreads, quiches and a soup of the day. Healthy grab-and-go snacks are also available. Patrons can choose from a variety of informal seating options, including a community worktable featuring easily accessible USB/AC outlets.
Booksellers at Barnes & Noble Wilmington are equipped with tablets to help them assist customers anywhere in the store. This new technology allows booksellers to help customers with product selection and easily locate books on the store floor, as well as check customers out without a visit to cashwrap. In addition, the store has self-serve kiosks that enable customers to research, discover and locate books throughout the store.
Barnes & Noble Wilmington is dedicated to supporting the community and hosting events of interest to customers, from bookfairs for local schools to booksignings and Storytimes. A 700-square-foot flexible event space is ideal for author events and booksignings. Contact Barnes & Noble Wilmington at 302-252-0997 or visit the Barnes & Noble Store Locator for more details on events and activities.
Barnes & Noble Wilmington is located at 4209 Concord Pike, Wilmington, Delaware. The previous Barnes & Noble location serving the Wilmington community at 4801 Concord Pike closed on June 30.
Customers are encouraged to follow Barnes & Noble Wilmington on social media by searching @BNWilmingtonDE on Facebook and Twitter and @BNWilmington on Instagram.
As I toured the store I couldn’t help but feel very comfortable as the aisles were bright and wide, and the bookshelves contained copies of some of the best summer selections.
If however, you prefered to read digital copies there were comfy chairs and tables where you could sit and connect wirelessly as well as charger stations to keep your laptop, tablet or smartphone powered up.
The BN Cafe featured some amazing sweet treats, none of which I could eat as a diabetic but there was an assortment of drinks including Nitro Coffee a Starbucks Specialty.
Barnes and Noble is a great place to visit especially if you want to beat the heat this summer with the family or your kids. There is a great selection of Young Readers book and a Lego Table for kids and their parents to use their imaginations and build.
By the way, the bathrooms are family friendly with changing stations and separate stalls in each, making it easier for dads to spend the day with their little ones.
If you subscribe to the blog, share this post on a social media platform of your choice and leave a comment. You will then be entered for a chance to win a $25 Gift Card courtesy of Barnes & Noble in Concord Square.
Contest is open to USA Residents Only and will end a midnight on Sunday, 7/7/19
Books from Biden to Becoming to Bath and Body Items, this Barnes and Noble had it all.
BN Summer Specials
For a limited time you can sign up for a 3 month membership for only $7.99 and if kids read 8 books this summer they will get one FREE.
Let’s Chat > What book are you looking forward to reading this summer?
It looks very modern! I’ll have to visit and see it. B&N is one of my favorite places. But ever since the one at the mall, I rarely get to Concord Pike. This is a good excuse.
My summer reading list includes some black women authors. I’m reading THE COMPLETE STORIES by Zora Neale Hurston right now.
Yes, you will love the new redesign as it’s open, airy and inviting.
It looks like it! I’ll definitely visit this summer. I’m really surprised about the bath and beauty products, especially since the last time I was there, there was an Ulta nearby. I’ll have to get over that way and see what all the changes are.
Yes, that was at their old location, but there are a lot of nice items for gifts too!
?CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN THE WINNER!!?
I love Barnes and noble such a good book store I love to read.
Yes, what is your favorite summer read?
Very nice! Love the look of the new store, especially the children’s section.
Yes, they switched up from Thomas the Tank Engine theme to Legos to give the kids and their parents a chance to be more creative with their designs.
This new format looks nice. I saw it when they were building it out. I have to get up there and check it out.
Yes, it’s a great newly designed store.
It looks great! Can’t wait to check it out! Haha! A little book joke for you. ?
I love it! Thank you for making me smile ?