The Barnes & Noble bookstore in Redwood City, California, will close its doors on September 16 after 33 years in business. The closure comes as the company is expanding its national footprint, with plans to open five new locations in California in the coming months. This expansion includes a planned store in Cupertino, located about a 25-minute drive from the Redwood City site.
"We much lament this closure in Redwood City, the difficulty of which is heightened by the suddenness with which we are obliged to close," said Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt. "Happily, we welcome two new stores to the Bay Area this year, allowing us to continue to serve this book-loving community."
As of June, Barnes & Noble operates approximately 712 bookstores nationwide, an increase from just under 600 stores in 2023. The Redwood City closure has led some to interpret it as a relocation rather than an abandonment of the area, with discussions on social media suggesting the lease may have ended, prompting the move.
This is not the only Barnes & Noble location facing closure in California. The bookstore chain previously announced that its branch at The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno will close by May 2026. This mall has seen other major closures, including JCPenney last year, and has been described by shoppers as falling into disarray.
Sales are reportedly underway at the Redwood City location, with discounts of up to 40 percent on some items as the store prepares for its final days. The voicemail at the Redwood City store does not mention the closure but indicates "some exciting sales of almost everything in the store."
The Redwood City store is located in a shopping complex that also houses businesses such as Jamba Juice, Starbucks, Verizon, and Habit Burger & Grill, which will remain open. Local independent bookstores, including Fireside Books in downtown Redwood City, have been mentioned by some as alternatives for shoppers.