Barnes & Noble — Local services in Brandon

You really don't know what you've got until it's gone. I find it difficult to imagine what rationale there might've been in relocating given that the new location is only a stones throw away, not to mention inside of a plaza where the politics of traffic govern the whole lot like a madhouse. Ease of access? Not a chance.

All would have been forgiven if even an iota of what made the original location a charming social spot had been retained or at the very least transformed; and yet no such thing was. The selection has diminished manyfold, affecting not just books but print publications and the other media, including vinyl records, CDs, and the most unforgivable offense of all: the complete absence of Criterion DVDs. No one in their right mind can justify giving Criterion the boot without retorting drivel about physical media sales. Answer me this: how many books go untouched? How much schlocky YA collects dust quarter after quarter only for a new crop of similarly limp titles to pick up the dust collecting slack? How much more space could you possibly allocate for the latest slop from the most reviled and unserious pundits? Nixing Criterion from the B&N floor is tantamount to corporate telling consumers they've stopped caring without saying it out loud. If Criterion wasn't the premier physical distributor and preserver of classic, independent, and foreign film this would have been a non-issue. But we happen to live in a world where they are, and the new location's neglect is akin to an insult.

The floor itself is suffocating. Labyrinth-esq, the layout is so purposeless and crammed that whatever browsing experience still worth having is uncomfortable and feels invasive. Seating is left to a minimum, a far cry from the location that had a Café arrangement inside of the building. Frankly, my initial walkthrough was the most depressing experience I've had inside of a commercial media seller to date.

Maybe I took the original location for granted. Maybe I had trouble believing that a commercial bookseller could be a place with character and livelihood. Maybe the original location was an outlier in that regard. I'll forever kick myself for not having spent more time inside. It was inviting, cozy; I remember sitting at the Café, perusing W magazine and chatting with friends. This all felt by design, as though you were not only allowed but supposed to do this. A space where young people are encouraged to congregate is a space few and far between in this dreary epoch. Where to now?

It's abandonment leaves me pondering a question I've had for years at this point; what really is there left for a young person to do in Brandon? How can we expected to absent-mindedly roam around Westfield for the Nth weekend in a row since our days in Junior High? How many more pawn shops and dessert boutiques can we plop along 60? How many more good things can we diminish for young people in our community?

Truly a bitter shame. A...

To my surprise, I found the Barnes & Noble. I was so excited. And walking in through the double doors, as you are met with the width of the smell of books! Every book lover knows exactly what I’m talking about. The lighting the merchandising, the organization, and the cleanliness of the store was perfect. The staff was stocking the shelves, so there was that, but Other than that, it was great! It was, of course, like a kid in the candy store when I walked up on the journals, agendas, and planners. My world. It was great because I needed to do some research.

They have little corners for you to sit comfortably in a seat,, or as I saw some people sitting on the floor. There are no limits to where you can make yourself comfortable when you are immersed in a book that sweeps you away with its colorful and enticing language.

The store was bigger than I thought it was. Of course you will always find the different categories of people who go to the store. Those were searching for specific thing. Those who come to enjoy the smell, the atmosphere, and those finding the unexpected book and are lead into a journey of a new book. As well as people like me, researching. Those wanting to sit down comfortably while they scan the books like at a library. No matter the type of customer you are. If you love books, take a looksie! Oooo 🔥and to my surprise they had Vinyl albums. I can’t recall ever seeing them in my regular hangout B&N spots!

It is right next-door to the pet store so you can hear when the stressed out dogs have to visit.

But finding the B&N by surprise. It was like getting back a piece of home that you missed after relocating that you didn’t realize...

This morning I went into this place to look for a book my grandson needed for school. I stood in line and listened to the gentleman at the cash register greet each patron in front of me with " good morning, did you find everything you need?". When It was my turn, I walked up to the counter and was hit with the " what's happening man". I looked and simply said " Good Morning ". I asked him for the location of the book I needed and he pointed me to customer service. When I asked the person at customer service, they immediately took me over to where the " black book" section was. The gentleman stood at that section for a few minutes and then realized that the book I was looking for was on the other side of the store, nowhere near what he figured was " my section". I took the book and went back to the register and was once again greeted with " whats happening ". I again said very loudly " Good Morning ". Once I paid for the book the cashier asked me could I just take the book like this, " without a bag". I said " how do you normally give the merchandise to customers ?" He said, " in a bag". I then told him that I expected nothing less. Why do so many people think that it's ok to treat black folks like we aren't worthy of their respect? When im spending my damn money I expect to be treated with respect. If it wasnt for the fact that my grandson needed that book today, I would have told both of those clowns to kiss my black a$$. Im 53 years old and do not need your condescending " whats happening " greeting. I expect a " good morning " just as every other customer. And by the way, we do purchase and read more than just books found in the "...