Barnes & Noble has opened a new store at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie, marking the first of four planned openings in the Chicago area
The expansion reflects the company’s continued brick-and-mortar momentum under its smaller, more localized store model. Rather than large-format legacy footprints, the newer stores are tailored to fit specific trade areas, with curated assortments and layouts that reflect neighborhood demand.
A few takeaways for the market:
• Barnes & Noble remains an active, expanding national tenant
• High-performing regional malls continue to attract experiential anchors
• Books, gifts, and community-driven retail are proving durable in physical formats
At a time when many legacy chains are contracting, Barnes & Noble’s steady re-entry into quality centers suggests that well-located projects with strong co-tenancy can still support traditional specialty anchors — when the format and execution are right.
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Sources: Barnes & Noble opens first of 4 stores in Chicago area