Retail bookselling chain Barnes & Noble is set to close a longtime store in the Bay Area. The bookstore in Redwood City, California is headed towards a shutdown on September 16, 2026, after serving the community for over three decades. The closure comes as Barnes & Noble continues expanding through new store openings and technology upgrades.
Barnes & Noble Redwood City Store to Close
Barnes & Noble shared the news through an Instagram post, citing the expiration of its lease agreement as the reason for the closure. The company said the landlord did not offer an option for the store to remain open.
“It is with great sadness that we let you know of the closure of this store, forced by the end to our lease and the landlord offering no option to continue,” the post read.
While the closure is slated for September 16, the bookstore chain is seeking to secure a new suitable location in the area.
Meanwhile, customers can continue shopping at nearby Barnes & Noble locations in San Mateo and Burlingame.
The post also noted that Barnes & Noble plans to open a new bookstore at The Crossroads shopping center in Cupertino this fall. Located about 20 miles down I-280, the store is expected to open in fall 2026.
Several customers shared their reactions to the closure announcement. One of them wrote, “Your store will be dearly missed.”
Another comment read, “NO ! all the good Barnes and nobles are closing….”
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Growth Continues Through Digital Upgrades and Acquisitions
Barnes & Noble has continued expanding its business through digital investments and acquisitions. In June 2026, the retailer announced the shift of bn.com to Shopify’s e-commerce platform. With this, the bookselling company introduced an updated online shopping experience that provided readers with new features.
Replacing Barnes & Noble’s previous platform, the updated bn.com experience brought it improved browsing features, Google Retail search integration, and enhanced product filtering. It also offered readers a new product review platform and improved access to store information and events.
Zain Mahmood, the company’s VP of Books and eCommerce, said, “Our eCommerce team has been hard at work to bring bn.com into the 21st century and is very pleased to now present a greatly improved shopping experience.”
The retail chain has also widened its presence through bookstore acquisitions in recent years.
In 2025, the chain announced plans to acquire Bay Area bookseller Books Inc. The decision came after the latter, a 174-year-old retailer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. BI Acquisition Co., LLC, an affiliate of Barnes & Noble, agreed to purchase Books Inc.’s assets for $3.25 million, pending bankruptcy court approval.
Under the agreement, Books Inc. was expected to continue operating under its own name while gaining support from Barnes & Noble.
Before this transaction, Barnes & Noble had acquired a Denver bookstore chain in 2024. Tattered Cover Book Store had also sought Chapter 11 protection.
Recent Store Additions by Barnes & Noble
Despite the closure, Barnes & Noble continues adding new bookstores across the country.
One of these, which opens on August 7, 2026, is in Casper, Wyoming. Its location is at Blackmore Marketplace, 600 Newport Road. At a nearly 14,000-square-foot area, the store carries books, games, magazines, toys, and gift items.
Another new store is the Stillwater, Oklahoma outlet, which is scheduled to open on August 12, 2026. Located at Bradford Plaza, 519 N. Main Street, the store features more than 15,000 square feet of space. Customers can find books, games, magazines, toys, gift items, and a Barnes & Noble Café.
The Redwood City closure is going to mark the end of a longtime bookstore location, but Barnes & Noble is geared to move forward with new openings, online improvements, and acquisitions nationwide.
