By Dan Murphy
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner shared some good news in a recent email. “In 2012, the Greenburgh community was disappointed when Barnes & Noble closed their bookstore on Central Ave. in Hartsdale as it was a popular destination for residents.
“The good news is that Barnes & Noble is returning to Hartsdale! They have signed a lease at Dalewood Shopping Center in the 12,490-square-foot space, formerly occupied by Mrs. Greens Market, with a targeted opening of late summer.
“Barnes & Noble is projected to open 30 new stores this year as interest in reading books flourished as a result of the pandemic and a renewed interest in reading physical books. They will open this store with a brand-new design seen in the most recent Barnes & Noble store openings.
“We miss browsing in bookstores. This is the type of business that will help revitalize the Central Ave. business corridor. This is good news for Central Ave. and great news for our residents and shoppers,” writes Feiner.
Barnes & Noble was purchased by the Private Equity firm of Elliot Management in 2021 for $683 Million. The company is “experiencing a period of tremendous growth,” according to its spokesperson, with CEO James Daunt adding, “”We’ve now got both the profitability and the confidence to start opening up stores again.”
Some new B&N stores are opening up at the former locations of Amazon Book stores. “As sales and profits have risen, so has its ability to invest in refurbishments of its existing stores, and in the opening of new bookstores. In short, the expansion is being spurred by its success,” added the spokesperson.
“The health of good bookstores has never been better than at present as demonstrated by all the new openings” said Daunt. “It is such an exciting sea change in the fortunes of bookstores, with booming sales of books being led by real books being bought in real bookstores. It is a true vindication of good bookselling. A bookstore belongs at the heart of its community, a welcoming place where readers can browse, find their new favorite books and authors, and for our youngest customers to gather for storytime.”
