The store was located at Clifton Commons, a 335,000-square-foot shopping center that also features a Target, an AMC movie theater, and a Burlington Coat Factory, among other retailers.

NPR reported in 2023 that new Barnes & Noble stores featured lighter paint and wood colors as part of a branding makeover that occurred when stores were closed during the pandemic.

"Onyx Storm" is the fastest-selling adult novel since BookScan began tracking sales 20 years ago, with 2.7 million copies sold in its first week.

A sign described the genre and its tropes, such as enemies to lovers, found family, elemental magic, fairytale retellings, and strong heroines," as "all the books you've been hearing about!"

"Many stores have opted to feature BookTok tables and have grown some extensive Graphic Novels and Manga sections, and have truly become a go-to destination for kids and teenagers to gather after school," a Barnes & Noble spokesperson told Business Insider.

The Barnes & Noble exclusive editions can feature exclusive cover designs or additional content, such as interviews with the authors — a draw for loyal fans to shop at Barnes & Noble over other retailers.

The handwritten notes made the national retailer feel more like an indie bookstore.

As CEO, Daunt's strategy has been to allow store managers to stock books based on what's selling well in their individual locations instead of dictating orders from a centralized corporate office.

"I get all the glory, but actually what I'm doing is getting out of people's way and letting them run decent bookstores," Daunt told The New York Times in 2022.

The selection of banned books included "The Diary of A Young Girl" by Anne Frank, "1984" by George Orwell, "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood," and "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe.

Barnes & Noble added a "banned books" section to its website and some stores in 2022. Some of the books "were banned on moral, religious, or political grounds," or because they "explore race, sexuality, and new concepts and ideas," per Barnes & Noble's website.

A Barnes & Noble spokesperson told BI that the stores encourage browsing with a layout that "guides customers on a smooth journey."

As part of Barnes & Noble's redesign, books are organized by theme instead of alphabetically to help readers make new discoveries.

When I visited in February, Musk and his Department of Governmental Efficiency continued to make headlines in the early days of the Trump administration. Barnes & Noble appeared to capitalize on increased interest in Musk's business practices by displaying books where people could learn more about him.

The toys and games were strategically located near the section of children's books, charmingly labeled "Barnes & Noble Jr."

I'd assumed there would be more bookshelves to peruse upstairs. From the ground floor, I could see employees working in cubicles and holding meetings in glass-walled conference rooms.

The upper floors of Barnes & Noble's flagship store in Union Square have also been converted to office space as a cost-cutting measure instead of leasing an expensive corporate headquarters.

Barnes & Noble cafés license Starbucks drinks but sell different food items, so they're not considered stand-alone Starbucks stores and don't accept Starbucks gift cards.

The premium membership, launched in 2023, costs $39.99 per year.

In addition to 10% off most purchases, premium members get free shipping and one free ebook a month, among other perks.

"Barnes & Noble has always been a social hub, but it became even more so after the pandemic; many readers were looking for a place to spend time and connect with other people in their community," a Barnes & Noble spokesperson told Business Insider. "With this shift to a 'third place' our bookstores and cafés were seen as the perfect safe and welcoming space to meet up with friends and explore the stacks."