Barnes & Noble is making a surprising return to Bryn Mawr, nearly two decades after closing its store on Lancaster Ave., writes Jake Blumgart for the Philadelphia Inquirer. This reopening is part of the company’s national resurgence, expanding after years of downsizing in the face of Amazon’s dominance.
The new Bryn Mawr location is a two-story, 18,000-square-foot store with a café, ample seating, and event space. Store manager Leonard Benefico emphasized a localized approach, ensuring the book selection reflects the community’s interests rather than corporate mandates.
While many readers welcome the return, independent booksellers are concerned about increased competition. Cathy Fiebach, owner of Main Point Books and co-founder of Indie Main Line, worries that Barnes & Noble’s presence could impact local events and sales. Indie Main Line, a coalition of independent bookstores, is launching “Indie Main Line Loves Back” in March to support nonprofits and highlight their community contributions.
Despite concerns, Barnes & Noble maintains that its expansion benefits all booksellers by strengthening the book market. Benefico believes the store will serve as a vital “third space” for the community—offering a gathering place at a time when libraries face cuts and coffee shops close earlier.
With Barnes & Noble’s national footprint growing again, its return to Bryn Mawr signals a new era for book retailing in the region.
Read more about the Main Line’s new Barnes and Noble in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
