Barnes & Noble — Restaurant in Charleston

Sad to give this review but B&N is definitely no longer what it once was. Deliver time on orders for the last few requests has been longer than Amazon, so why would I want to drive across town when I can order it faster (and less expensive) online. Same selections of books but not the same atmosphere. Difficult to find any help when in the store.

The final straw for me was when I took my 12 year old yesterday for him to buy a book and use a free pastry coupon he had been holding since our last visit 3 weeks ago. Upon checkout he was excited to get another receipt coupon to get a pastry for $2.00. When we walked over to the coffee section to redeem it they informed us that they wouldn't honor the free coupon because it was expired. He tried to pick out a selection for the $2.00 coupon and they said it was limited to only 4 options(which were $2.75 each) and required the purchase of a drink. We grabbed a bottled water to buy and the city lady at the counter informed us that, "No, it had to be a Starbucks coffee". So I have to spend $6.00 on a coffee to save $.75? Disappointed to see this type of nickle and diming from a company that used to have some class. Will be using Amazon...

I recently came here to purchase some Nintendo merchandise. After I had found what I wanted, I headed up to the checkout. When the clerk couldn't find a barcode on the item, she had to get the stock manager. He was very polite and we both came to a agreement. I paid 12.99 for the Nintendo merch. and was satisfied with the kindness that was sent my way while I was shopping!

Cleanliness: 4/5 I came here around the middle of December so I expected some items to be misplaced by rushed shoppers. Other than that, the store felt clean and comfortable!

Service: 5/5 I felt like a king coming here! The managers and workers were very polite towards me and other people in my party. I can't wait to say "Hi!" to them again someday.

Stock: 4/5 It seemed like there was a wide variety of books, toys, and vinyls. I had a good time looking at the different toys and records they carried. I usually come here every month and everytime I do, there is something new to see!

Overall, this is the best bookstore i've been to in Charleston. If your child has summer reading or you just want to find a book on how to code. This...

Barnes and Noble runs a quality operation. It has a large and adequate parking lot with handicap accommodations all the way up through the front door. The store is more than clean and organized and has a helpful, but not overly persistent staff. The only real setback is the pricing. Hopefully the corporation can find a way to get serious about competing with the online giants and successfully navigate the consumer markets as they evolve ...perhaps as a more lean and efficient operation with far less overhead of the brick-n-mortar operation. Without lower prices for these commodities, they will eventually wither and die. Hopefully the recent court decision (in favor of online companies having to collect sales taxes) will aid in pushing some traffic to the company. Good luck! Please let us know if this review...