the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, the Barnes & Noble on Route 17 in Paramus will be shutting its doors on February 11th, 2023 after 28 years, the landlord did not renew the lease at the site. The company explained that it wants to serve the Paramus community for “many, many more years.” and that Barnes & Noble is “doing everything” it can to find a replacement site with hopes to “return close to here with a new bookstore before long.”
The King of Con by Thomas Giacomaro and Natasha Stoynoff https://theridgewoodblog.net/?s=king+of+con+book+review
The site slated to become the home for a “state-of-the-art” adult day program center for people with disabilities. The nonprofit New Concepts for Living currently operates a similar facility in Rochelle Park. The new Paramus location and program, expected to open in fall, will be “significantly larger” and a “state-of-the-art achievement center” that will eventually serve 200 clients, according to the group’s website.
In a Facebook post, Barnes & Noble :
What was amazing is that it lasted as long as it did.
That’s terrible.
I sneak in the back road and never have to drive on R17 when I go there.
These colossus book stores were a big deal for a very short time, but quickly went into decline following the start of Amazon, which back then was just a bookseller. Also, most walk ins treated the place as a free library without spending anything.
I used to use that back road but wussed out when they put up a sign prohibiting it.
There used to be a B&N not far down 17 from the current one on the opposite (northbound) side. They went from two to one and now zero until they find another location.
One time while waiting in line to pay, I saw Whoopi Goldberg paying at the counter.
She lives in a 23-room mansion in West Orange.
Are you trying to say that she’s one of those limousine liberals?
Poor you that you had to look at THAT!
Did it sound as if I was complaining?
I think the blurry Facebook item says the store will close on Feb. 12, not Feb. 11.
Maybe they could move to the Bed, Bath and Beyond that just closed at the fashion center.
Another idea I had was maybe they could move into one of the floors at the Lord &Taylors at the fashion center if the landlord would be willing to do that and if it was allowed.
This is so sad, our family loves this particular B&N, we have enjoyed going for over 15 years. it is open space, not clutter, great book area for kids with a little stage. Employees are wonderful and knowledgeable.
Other B&N are tight and not welcoming. Hope they stay in the area for everyone up North and keep that same style.
How about where that K-Mart and Stop & Shop was. 🥲
the only greed is people thinking they deserve things they didnt earn
Cool. Now explain why, for example, development in Ridgewood(multi-family housing) and Paramus (New CVS/7/11) in order to profit is BAD, but development on RT. 17 in order to profit is GOOD…….
not sure I ever said either of those things, I loved that book store, but aside from the fact that the developers contribute to political campaigns, so much for free market, the problem is not the development its the grossly unplanned and misguided idea that new development does not impact public services, schools and infrastructure (ie Ridgewood)
But the market’s there for new development(given both the developers and new renters are lining up) so we have to do it, yes?
Saying “maybe there’s other things to consider, such as infrastructure” is pretty much the opposite of “laissez-faire” which I AM sure you’re on the record on….
it called responsible development , the developers are pushing most of the risk and cost on to the taxpayers like spending more money on Ridgewood water , paving the roads , building schools, hiring police and fire , building sewers , all due to the development , the developers should pay them like most businesses pay their expenses , its simply the cost of doing business. In NYC the developers would pay for all these costs .
FYI NJ couldn’t be farther from the free market it is one of the most corrupt political entities in the world and know as such.
If someone needs to explain this to you, you are a moron. Route 17 is commercial. Development. Not likely to effect quality of life. CVS and 7/11 dropped in the middle of a residential area (yes, i know about the prior gas station (limited patrons and closed at 7pm) and bank (limited patrons, closed at 3pm). Farm Stand does not equal 15,000 square foot CVS with drive-thru. 800 square foot gas station with 2 pumps does not equal 3000 square foot 7-11 which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I’d also add mutli-family housing is different from CVS/7-11. Much different issues to be considered and weighed.
Moved to Paramus in 1957,worked for the borough for 27 years, live 6 blocks from the TD bank, the gas station, and the nursury,, and it is correct there was no quality of life issues there it was a pleasure and I never heard any complaints from anyone.
thank you for deleting some of those stupid inane comments , clearly demonstrating more people need to read books , hopefully they will relocate ASAP and much success to New Concepts for Living
I agree with you book worm, keep it simple.
people should be required to prove they read they post before the comment
The bottom floor of the Lord &Taylor’s or Bed, Bad & Beyond In my opinion would be perfect for B&N to move into. Just as close, already built , beautiful, and the parking is perfect.
Please people let’s just comment on how much we all loved that beautiful bookstore and are sorry to see it close and give them some suggestions where they could open again, like they asked us for.
Has any heard if Barnes & Nobel found a new location.
Just heard they are relocating to the Big Lots store near the Bed Bath and Beyond on Rte 17.
Excellent news, thank you.
Maybe Bed, Bath and Beyond would be a good place for B&N to move to because they might get a lot of new people that go to the baby store and TJ Max that have never been to a really nice bookstore.
Sign on Big Lots says 8 more days . I wonder if B&N will start to move in right away. If they are planning a Nov/Dec opening that should give them plenty of time to do it right and make everybody happy. There is no reason why they can’t please everyone even if it’s a smaller building,even I could figure out how to do it and I am no genius.Do it right B&N.
A worker at Big Lots told me this morning that this coming Monday will be their last day even though the sign said 8 more days.
Farewell Big Lots, hello Barnes & Noble , I wish you both the best of luck. BILLY
They are not wasting any time at Big Lots, yesterday was the last day and this morning at around 9am workers were removing the Big Lots letters off the building. I think B&N are going to use the existing building contrary to what I’ve heard.
I looked inside Big Lots this morning,it’s completely empty.It may be a bit smaller then the Rt. 17 B&N was but I think it will work out very nicely and it’s in a great spot in my opinion, and it’s better then not having them at all. I really like the new location but then again I live only 3 minutes from the fashion center. I think it’s going to be fine.
Nothing really happening on the outside of Big Lots yet, I see workers inside doing some work but I don’t think they liked me poking my head in to have a look see so I apologized and left . I will try to keep updating for whoever is interested.
“I don’t think they liked me poking my head in to have a look see”
Of course they don’t, Bill. Have some damn common sense.
Yes your right I should have just stayed away until it’s finished, I won’t do again, thanks for the good advise.
Shame on you whoever you are for cursing in your comment to Bill. This comment should be erased.
Reply from Michelle
According to their facebook page, the new store is scheduled to open the winter of 2023/2024.