1/8
They closed took over the space where Tuesday Morning was in the back so the place is bigger than I thought. Nice to have one open up a couple of years after they closed the one on Holcombe
For Houston book lovers out there, a new Barnes & Noble just opened today at Weslayan and Bissonnet
Yeah, we all of the inner loop ones. The fact that ANY physical bookstore has opened up inside the loop is a positive sign nevertheless
Very true! I appreciate the reminder to remain optimistic. Thanks!
Can i take this moment to say please support your local library
The Rice Village HPB closed its doors juuust before the pandemic hit lockdown stage, and it actually kinda sucks cos I think the physical book market began trending upward cos of habit changes in that time.
I was there on the Saturday before the world shut down. A huge line that stretched from the checkout across the store, up the stairs, and across to the other side. I was standing there packed in shoulder to shoulder, no masks anywhere, and thought “this doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
I stopped in a HPB when I was out in the suburbs the other day and it’s just not the same. I mean you used to find quirky old books for like $5 and just go nuts buying books. Now that quirky old book is out of print, but Amazon has it for $40, so where does HPB price it? $20, half of Amazon. Never mind that that they paid someone a nickel for it when they brought it 6 boxes of books.
I was just at the Half Price on Westheimer outside the Beltway yesterday! I got $27 for about 7 hardback books! Tons of supply right now. If they had had Stephen King's The Stand I would've bought it for my summer read. It was a favorite of mine 20 years or so ago.
The montrose half price had some amazing gems there!
Wow - this is interesting, and might be the closest bookstore to me now, just beating out Brazos Bookstore. RIP to the Barnes and Noble at Voss and Westheimer
This is quite bigger than I expected. Not as big as the Voss one but bookstores opening is much more positive than bookstores closing
We need more bookstores in Houston
And my personal favorite, the one on Westheimer across from the Galleria. I used to study there.
The greatest Houston bookstore was the West Gray Bookstop. Great place to study. So many little nooks and crannies that you could find a seat in and just sit and focus.
And my personal favorite, the one on Westheimer across from the Galleria. I used to study there.
This was such a good one. I still have childhood memories of getting certain books at that Barnes and noble
I hear you. Tell me, is the 24 hour Starbucks still near that area?
It is, but the whole 24-hour thing unfortunately went away during COVID. I checked the app though and their hours are now 4:30am-2:30am
Let's still support Brazos Bookstore, though. They are a gem.
Word. My favorite bookstore in Houston. They’ll always get my support.
On the flip side though, Collector's Firearms finally got a location big enough for their inventory at the Voss and Westheimer location.
I prefer the Brazzers book store but I may visit this one from time to time..
(.Y.) 👍
highly shocked they are still opening stores
They had quite the turn around. Got bought a few years ago by a UK bookseller who actually loves books. Amazing what can happen when rescued from private equity
This is so true. The real proof in their new recipe is that my kid absolutely LOVES going to B&N. The books are well-curated and they've got an impressive selection of toys and games that have some educational value.
This. Kids LOVE bookstores and libraries.
Well, cool ones do, not the losers.
LOL.
Barnes & Nobles was sold in 2019 to Elliot Investment Management. The current CEO is from Waterstone, who was hired by Elliot to run B&N. Still owned by private equity ... a huge name brand PE firm in fact.
Regardless, they aren’t doing the typical private equity thing of sucking the core business dry. They got an experienced book guy to run it and they are INVESTING in the core business by expanding it.
Take your negativity elsewhere
This. PE may own it but they put in place a person with passion for the actual product they sell. Imagine that.
I like the passion for the increased pen and paper rpg section.
This is how PE is actually supposed to work, not the financial shenanigans most use to 'make money'
yea and the stores get a lot of foot traffic and sales. the one in riveroaks is always packed. i worked for a store in college in another city, and the same thing- always packed. tons of young people... they'd hang out there. and buy shit. and the stores with a cafe slang mad coffee and pastries. what blew my mind back then was the vinyls- B&N had this market on lock before the other major retailers like target decided to get a piece of the pie. college aged me selling vinyls to 14 year olds felt weird, but i wasn't mad about it. there's a big movement in young people to read physical as well versus kindles.
everyone who thinks B&N is dead clearly hasn't been to one in a while- or they were borders bros.
There is no negativity. Just the facts. PE gets a bad media reputation. Perhaps well deserved. But not always. Sometimes they are operation and turn-around wizards.
The difference is whether value is created through financial engineering (generally viewed as bad, not always) or operational expertise (generally good).
But the idea of a business being shit because it’s owned by a PE firm probably works 60-80% of the time. Just nuances. No negativity.
I think the meme stock craze really confused a bunch of kids with no financial sense whatsoever what PE is, does, and how they operate.
I wonder if they're still paying booksellers minimum wage while requiring them to wear business casual like they were ten years ago. Hope not!
I expect book shop people to be wearing things like jeans full of holes and The Cure t-shirts and frankly it unnerves me when they aren't.
The Cure t-shirt-wearing-reader-type-person here, I agree completely 🤣
Is business casual a restrictive dress code for a place of business?
It is definitely smaller than the old store so keep your expectations in check. It was a bit crowded today but it was good to browse in a real bookstore again.
Surprising TikTok has popularized books with the youth.
This new one is much smaller than the Holcombe location, obviously. Definitely no need to have that much store space like in the old space. I think the new, smaller space can work.
It's a better location I think, with the grocery, pet store, and pharmacy all nearby
The Holcombe one had a leaky roof that never got fixed.
Why they are an amazing book store
I’m shocked they didn’t go out of business over a decade ago.
Barnes and Noble lived long enough to stop being THE villain.
Reverse "The Dark Knight" motto.
Yup, the last one standing. We used to have Borders, Bookstop, and Crown just miles from each other.
Bookstop...forever my favorite. Even with that damn phone that nobody ever picked up!😂
there was Brentano's as well in the Shepherd Square (next door to Randall's / now Target).
I still have my Borders loyalty card on my key ring. Loved the one that was down the street from the old Bookstop (now Trader Joe’s).
I remember the UH of bookstore was owned by BN so they were the #1 villain for me back then.
I won’t down vote a bookstore opening.
It’s a wonderful thing. This world needs more bookstores.
I’m happy — I can walk here.
I need half price books again fuck I went to the w Alabama one when I went Lanier
Copped a halo novel shit was cash
I'm glad to see any bookstore still making it. It's often just too much cheaper and convenient to get them online than at B&N but I do try to go and stock up on some reading material there ever so often.
It’s been a while since I’ve browsed thru a bookstore and forgot how it’s fun to discover what’s been published recently. Sometimes physical browsing has its advantages over searching online
Indeed, especially the magazines! I love browsing them and stocking up on those related to my hobbies like guitar magazines.
I stopped buying books online due to porch pirates.
Will check it out this afternoon
For sure! I disent know they got a reboot. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to one because they never have the kind of stuff I like to read.
I never thought the day would come we would honestly be thinking of Barnes and noble as one of the few big book sellers that’s fending off Amazon. I won’t buy books from them, if I want them that badly I buy them from B&N or other small book stores. I also use my library card and the fuck out of my Libby app.
Just wish we didn't lose all the Half Price Books inside the Loop.
Treasure trove. Loved pawing through their boxed christmas cards and giftables.
That’s really close to McGovern-Stella Link Library, and West U Library.
And just 1.8 miles to Brazos Book Store....I'll just continue to go there instead of B&N
Why Brazos? The books there are marked up like crazy and the workers are pretty awkward. I asked once if I could buy a poster they had in the store and they only sometimes auction them off. Really seems like a bookstore for the 1% vs regular people.
Murder by the Book seems much better, the workers there are always super nice, prices reasonable, great events.
Pretty sure the books at Brazos are selling for list price. They are not marked up. Amazon, Walmart, B&N and others are marking theirs down because they deal in volume. The shop is (or at least once was) owned by the employees. I'll pay list price if it means the employees get paid a living wage.
Book people are awkward-ish. I mean, so are the book people at B&N? Is that really keeping you out? Seems like a weird reason to not go.
I've been to incredible author and poet events at Brazos and when my kids were little they LOVED the weekend story hour.
I don't know, but maybe give them another shot?
I guess I haven’t really experienced the awkwardness of book people at the stores I visit.
I go to Murder by the Book about once a month and always have a good time, the workers are super friendly and always seem to give me good recommendations. Half Priced Books in Pearland - again, people here always seem so welcoming. Love shopping here.
But the folks at Brazos just make me feel like I shouldn’t be there. Sounds like other people have had this experience as well
I'm not sure if Brazos has changed management over the past year or two, but I've also started getting that unwelcoming vibe when shopping there. I still try to support independent and shop at Brazos (although much less than I used to). Have been meaning to check out Murder by the Book. Good to know you've had good experiences there!
Yeah, seems like it. Regardless, we're all buying books and I guess that's what matters!
As someone who loves indie bookstores, I want to love Brazos. But everytime I go there the workers make it impossible. They're just so unfriendly and rude!
Love Murder by the Book though.
To anyone else who loves indie bookstores and doesn’t mind driving, Blue Willow Books on Memorial at Dairy Ashford is worth the drive and they are even expanding, so even more books!
Same impression. I have an MFA in creative writing, love indie bookstores, and always make a point to seek them out in every city I visit. Brazos, despite usually having a great selection, has a strange vibe :/
Why would you feel entitled to something in the store that was not for sale?
Most indie bookstores I visit end up selling or giving away (or throwing away) the promo posters for books they receive from publishers after the promotion is over. Really doesn’t hurt to ask if they are for sale (not sure how this is “entitled”), especially when it involves me paying for something they received for free from the book publisher’s marketing department.
When they refused you complained about it and called it "a bookstore for the 1%" lmao. Dragging a small business because an hourly employee couldn't do something extra for you. This is why you sound entitled.
Brazos serves up a healthy serving of entitlement attitude with their books.
I prefer Half Price Books. I absolutely love B&N but they are so crazy expensive 😣
Too bad there are no HPBs remaining inside the Beltway.
Best I can do is QPB.
That's a nope lol. The owner is so grumpy. The store is so unorganized and he gets mad if you browse or god forbid touch a book. Then he gets reaaally mad if you don't buy anything even if you have bought multiple things before.
Reminds me of a record store in LA with a similar grumpy owner. Doesn't like people to browse his inventory, follows people around the store, etc.
It's the best store for old editions of classic books and some rarer texana kinda stuff. Want anything else and it's best to stay clear.
I like HPB for the price of buying books but screw that noise when it comes to selling books back to them. Better to give them away to your local library.
Oh yeah, they SUCK at paying you for books. 100% agree
Not my experience. Sold them a lot of books over the years and of course want more money, but it's more about getting some money and having them take all of them without hassle.
If they had a better ratio for in-store credit I’d go back to them.
But if you don’t have BN, you don’t eventually have used books.
Large physical book sellers like BN help to prop up the physical book market.
Not sure why people are downvoting you. The battle hasn't been B&N vs used bookstores or indie bookstores since the late 90s: it's B&N vs. Amazon.
Yeah, I think it’s odd too!
I posted this article earlier from the NYTimes that makes the same point
I like Half priced as well but the last 2 years I have seen them really mark things up and have lately been showing them the cost of things online and how they are much cheaper for them to bring down their price. They don’t put up too much of a fight to change it for me but it makes me think they are just using a bad system to price books or they are marking them up to get away with the cost.
I've rarely seen anything not marked 50% of the publishers list price. Their definitely needs to be a quality check though as they will price a falling apart book the same as a "like new" one.
HPB can be very hit or miss though.
FYI, if you have a "legacy" B&N account (i.e. an account you set up in the heyday of B&N), you apparently get 10% off all prices even today.
Last time I tried buying a book from them was like 12 years ago - I think it was code book for one of the trades.I saw the price online and it was a couple of bucks more expensive than amazon but I thought I'd support the local store so I went and saw the store price was 10 bucks more than the online price they had. I asked them at the store if they could match their own online price and they said no, the only way to get that price was to order it online....so I did, from amazon. It's like they took any incentive to buy the book from the store unless it was an emergency.
Damn, ill have to check it out next time I want Fudruck... no wait, Genghis gri... eh maybe Prince's... well now I'm hungry and I want books
Good to see any physical media store open instead of closing. I went to the Grand Opening to show support. I like the new style. Gondolas are tall so you are surrounded by books etc. Gave me an old school vibe. I hope they do well.
It’s a really well done store. I spent about 3 hrs there (just lost track of time) and dropped $80 before I knew it
I remember when there was a Crown Books in that center.
When was that?
I remember shopping the Crown store on Voss back 30 yrs ago. Still have many of the books I purchased there
Late 80s/Early 90s. I remember that because a foreign exchange student friend of mine at university used to buy his “adult literature” there. I lived near by on academy and ran into him while he was shopping for reading material. It was awkward since he was supposed to be a devout Muslim.
Love the storefront! The cafe is a bit sterile and bland, but overall really liking the new direction B&N's taking with the layout, fewer games and toys, and how the store managers stock their books. Have seen so many impressive surprises in stock that I never thought I'd see in a B&N!
Thanks for the heads up nice to see something close to the offices in Greenway
Ooh! I love b&n.
Yay! Thanks for sharing.
Kudos to the management for operating in the era of Amazon and holding their own!
I went today! I loved it. The store was packed!
I remember when they shut the B&N down on Holcombe and was super sad cause I’d go there after work with my friends. Glad to know they opened one still close to my job!
I love Barnes but these new layouts are ugly as hell. Instead of a cozy store filled with rows of bookshelves it's a bunch of magazine stands with bright lights and ikea furniture.
Thanks for the head's up! I can't remember the last time I've been in an actual bookstore. But I surely miss HPB, Borders, and Bookstop. Used to spend hours in them, same with B&N.
Thank you for the heads up 🥹🤩🥹
Tuesday Morning to B&N is a huge upgrade
This storefront was the old Massage Envy, although the rear — if it is that deep — was a Tuesday Morning.
The one near me got downsized, and this one is too far. Not like I care, I just buy from HPB or borrow from Libby.
"New Barnes & Noble" isn't a phrase I thought I'd ever hear again.
Huzzah!
Ooo I love Barnes and Noble
Will be there tomorrow!!! Yay 🩷✨
Just a reminder to shop local. Houston has sooo many small, locally owned bookstores!
Kaboom and Becker’s. Life isn’t long enough to read what’s worth reading in those two spots alone.
I used to be a fan of BN until they insanely marked up all merchandise. Nowadays I just scan the code on the back and buy the same book for $1.99 on eBay.
$3.75 for a cookie is just vile.
They are really good cookies and big enough to split with 3 people
Yesss have to go this weekend
How does the B&N in River Oaks Shopping Center stay in business?
Assuming you mean in the recent past: it’s actually pretty busy, especially once the B&N on Voss and Westheimer closed. The one in River Oaks is technically the next closest one. They may have also gotten a bump after the B&N in CityCentre closed for renovations in the spring.
Makes sense. I live very close by this location just don't like the parking. I miss Bookstop. Showing my age.
there is a free parking garage? Does it fill up these days?
Not sure. I only go to Kroger. No interest in the rest of the of the center. Unless the River Oaks 3 ever reopens.
Your post sounded like you had some kind of anecdote or something. I guess you could walk if you ever go farther than Kroger.
I usually manage to find a parking spot out front somehow, but I’m about 75% sure that the garage is free
Looks amazing!
Awesome.
How's the Criterion/Arrow section?
Self, small, but they had some 4K titles that are sold out online and helpful employees eager to order for you
Oh wow that so cool, thanks for sharing.
I will be there later today!
Woohoo!! They’re opening one in Conroe too!
Love B&N but I miss Half Price. It was raw and all the “cool” people went there instead. You could get an assigned reading book with notes already in it for like $4.
Half Price is an actual book store. B&N is a place to buy coffee at the shitty Starbucks inside.
Also they got rid of all the outlets at my local B&N so I can’t even sit at the stupid Starbucks and work on my laptop. It’s old and the full battery dies within 1 hour.
Omg going tomorrow. How exciting!! B&N is my favorite place
I will support. Need more book stores.
The millennial gray is strong with this one.
Thank god!!!!!
I hadn't gone in a long while, but back in January of this year I was happily shocked with how they are STOCKED up with Manga. Made me so happy which ended up motivating me to start getting into Manga books. I know I've slowly spent over $200 on manga since January. No regrets. I now prefer to read over watching anime because I can control my pace. I can read a chapter and put down the book. Watching something can easily turn into 2 hours gone on one thing aka an accidental binge.
Love it. I've missed the one on Holcombe.
Thank you for this!!!
I’m glad they opened another one in the area! There used to be one off of Holcomb so I’m excited to check it out!
Yay - this is exciting!
Patiently waiting for the new store in Conroe.
Went today - great place to get lost in!
I may stop by today and check out the inventory
Walking distance from my house. Kids are super excited.
Needed that after they turned the one on Westheimer to a gun supermarket.
Less hookers, more book-ers
Was there any chocolate in the cafe?
I was just at the copperfield location and it felt like a dying dinosaur. A new location though!? Maybe that will breathe some life into the business.
Go get ur Legos!
Get it
Hell yes. Love that they still carry blu rays !!!
The Holcombe location had the massive music and movie section in the back. I assume this one doesn't have it?
Not as much space but they have a large section of vinyl and criterion DVDs
Im totally going to
Oh this is so exciting! I cant wait to visit!
The one at Town & Country has regular sales of 50% off every hardback in the store! Maybe this one will, too.
Last time my dad and I went to a Barnes & Noble recently, he was trying to find an audiobook to take along while he gonna be driving on a long trip.
He was pretty disappointed when he and the employee helping him realized they didn’t carry them any longer. Even the employee was surprised. I know it’s easy to use the kindle app or whatever to listen to audiobooks but he is old school and just wanted to buy some audiobook CD’s. I thought it was strange they didn’t still sell them, as I could see that as a potential market for people who still want to listen to audiobooks without having to do the whole rigmarole of making an account on another platform if they don’t listen to audiobooks frequently.
Yesterday I saw that they had a wide selection of audio Book CDs, as well as DVDs and Vinyl records
Well I guess this one didn’t. It was an older looking one, nostalgic of the ones from earlier 2000’s. Idk 🤷♂️
I loved Abebooks & then Amazon bought them. You still get deals but it was never the same.
hanging out at the bookstore was so early 2000s....i remember Borders Cafe and Books on Westheimer and the other Barnes&Noble on Westheimer too...also the one in Sugarland Fountain Square. Is Half-Price books still around? I remember the ones on Westheimer and in the Rice Village.
There are plenty of Half Price Books still around. It’s the only bookstore chain worth a shit. Several great independent bookstores in town as well with Kaboom being my personal favorite. Now that’s a place to get lost in!
Holy 2005, wow. Physical books.....
Physical books are great. Look great. Smell great. Love looking over my “library” each morning. Gets my mind going.
I agree for infants and young kids. As an adult I would rather have the ebook.
Infants like that sweet smell of decaying books? What kind of infant are you raising?
Kids like the physical properties of real books. Part of their exploration.
Guess you never had a kid before.
I don’t think you understand the specific phenomenon to which I refer. Indeed, it remains unclear if you’ve ever actually read a book. YAF doesn’t count btw.
Why does it look so... unfinished? Like a bookstore display within a larger box store, if that makes any sense. What happened to the homey vibes?
What year is it?
Barnes & Noble was so bad that we all ran to Amazon as fast as possible. It’s amusing to see it coming back but I have many doubts that this is a viable business anymore.
What year is this? I haven’t seen one of these stores open in years
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I would be really excited if they brought back more Half Price Books. The pandemic was not kind to them.