<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=00WSZJ_0vl1oAel00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=00WSZJ_0vl1oAel00" width="1662" height="1247" ><figcaption>Barnes &amp; Noble is now open on the Third Street Promenade. (Barnes &amp; Noble/Submitted)</figcaption></figure>After a six-year absence, Barnes &amp; Noble Booksellers has returned to Santa Monica.Barnes &amp; Noble, which sits on the Third Street Promenade, is opening more than 50 stores this year as part of a broader resurgence of physical bookstores. “It just made sense for Santa Monica to be included in this new wave of bookstores being brought back to their communities,” said Sarah Abel, store manager.The grand opening in late August featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by author Olivie Blake, followed by a book signing. The new Barnes &amp; Noble location is steeped in history as the former home of the legendary Midnight Special Bookstore. Barnes &amp; Noble CEO James Daunt is enthusiastic about the store.“This is an exceptionally attractive building that in the past was a stunningly beautiful bookstore, and will now be so again,” Daunt said. “The opening in Santa Monica is emblematic of the renaissance of physical bookstores.”Abel noted the positive local response.“Everyone that has walked through the doors is so excited to have Barnes &amp; Noble back on the Promenade,” Abel said. “It grieved us as much as everyone else to close our old location. Our first-year expectations are to deliver an amazing experience to all our customers and neighbors.”Abel said she is impressed by the store’s design.“The Santa Monica store has the most distinctive layout I have ever seen, bringing its own quirk and charm to the experience,” Abel said. She emphasized the importance of exceptional customer service, stating, “Our A+ customer service and book recommendations will keep everyone coming back. Everyone that works here is a reader with so much knowledge to share.”Committed to more than just retail, Barnes &amp; Noble aims to be a cultural and literary hub. “There’s nothing like a conversation about a good book to bring people together,” Abel said. “We want to support local authors and the book business as a whole, and I feel confident in our ability to do both.”Abel further emphasized the store’s commitment to fostering partnerships within the community.“We have created strong ties with our neighbors on the Promenade and the Downtown Santa Monica offices. We’re excited to work together to enhance the visitor experience.” The long-term hope is to revitalize the Promenade as a destination for both locals and tourists.As the store continues to grow, Abel remains optimistic about its future. “Our entire team has transferred here from nearby Barnes &amp; Noble locations, bringing a wealth of knowledge and decades of bookselling experience,” she said. “I hope this Barnes &amp; Noble rekindles the shared love of books and reading in Santa Monica.” Barnes &amp; Noble Booksellers1318 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica424-428-0119, barnesandnoble.comUpcoming events include:Book signing with Karen Yin, “The Conscious Style Guide,” noon Saturday, Sept. 28.</div></body>

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A Reading Renaissance: New Barnes & Noble connects with community

After a six-year absence, Barnes & Noble Booksellers has returned to Santa Monica. Barnes & Noble, which sits on the Third Street Promenade, is opening more than 50 stores this year as part of a broader resurgence of physical bookstores. “It just made sense for Santa Monica to be included...