Barnes & Noble — Attraction in Edina

I was sad to see the old Barnes go (since it was my favorite one in the Cities), but change happens and the new restaurant sounded interesting. So, I finally visited the new store. It was a BIG disappointment. It is very industrial, sterile and not cozy in the least (I don't hate that look usually, but it doesn't work in a bookstore atmosphere, in my opinion). It definitely does not look like a place I want to come to and spend any time to look through/buy books. The store is at least 1/2 the size it was if not smaller (you now have only 1 floor instead of 2, and the restaurant/cafe takes up a large amount of that space.) The children's department is about 1/4 of what it used to be. The other areas are all smaller as well. I did not try the restaurant so I cannot speak to that. I will try the restaurant/cafe in the future as maybe that is worth stopping in for. But if they are trying to retain customers with this new atmosphere versus them shopping online, I think you get a fail on that. I will have to search out the more cozy "older" Barnes to now get my...

I LOVE Barnes and noble and I somehow had a terrible experience here thanks to one terroble employee. I went to return a book I had gotten twice for xmas and the employee processing the return gave me a lecture about the fact that the person who had given me the gift had taped the gift receipt to the inside cover. I understand how that can be annoying for an employee, but he then proceeded to take the book from me, rip the receipt out himself, tell me I had damaged it and that it couldn't be returned. He crumpled up the gift receipt IN FRONT OF MY FACE.

The only reason I can assume he accepted the return was because a manager happened to pass by and told him to take it.

The employee who actually rang me up apologized for how dramatic the other guy was. I was at her register initially, so I have no idea why the other guy even interfered.

I'll take my in store credit elsewhere than risk having to deal with Roger or whatever his name is again. Not sure if he was having a bad day. There are plenty other Barnes and noble stores nearby than go...

2022 Update: I buy books online now - from other companies. I avoid irksome employees this way.

(1) Many employees have been inhospitable.

On possibly half of my visits to this store to pick up and pay for a book I requested the worker handling my purchase has behaved in an inhospitable and repelling manner.

Several employees have been inhospitable, as I do not recall being helped by the same employee on more than one visit.

I do not have books sent to me since an order through the corporation led to a false charge appearing on my credit card for a magazine I did not order, a few years ago.

I prefer to pick up a book to avoid disposing of a package and to return it immediately for damage or any other problem.

(2) Many titles can be obtained from a library.

Probably most of the adult nonfiction books in stock at this store will be available from Hennepin County Library.

The books the library system owns may be on hold for use by other patrons so you may have to wait to read your choice.

First Posted in...