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Barnes & Noble Confirms Four Chicago-Area Stores for 2026, Including Large Loop Site

The rollout reflects a comeback strategy centered on local bookseller autonomy with expanded in-store offerings.

Overview

  • The company identified four sites: 150 N. State Street in the Loop, 1524 E. 55th Street in Hyde Park, a relocated two-level store at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie, and 1144 Lake Street in Oak Park.
  • The State Street bookstore will be about 30,000 square feet in the former Old Navy location and is in early design and development.
  • The Old Orchard location will reopen in a new two-level space within the mall, with the company pointing to a spring timeframe.
  • Hyde Park is slated for early 2026 and, like Oak Park, will include a B&N Café.
  • Oak Park will reuse the former Borders space at roughly 20,000 square feet, with timing reported variously from late spring to late 2026 as part of a broader national growth push backed by strong sales and around 60 leases.