Barnes & Noble bookstore in downtown Naperville is closing Jan. 21, according to the store’s social media.
The business announced its impending departure and plans to open a new store in Oswego via a letter posted to Instagram Wednesday morning.
“We have such exciting news to share with you — we’ve found a new home!” the store’s letter reads. “We must leave this store, and the new bookstore will be located a short distance away at the Prairie Market Shopping Center” in Oswego.
Barnes & Noble has operated at 47 E. Chicago Ave. in downtown Naperville since 1998. The store’s letter, signed “Your B&N Naperville Team,” does not say why it must leave.
“It has truly been our honor and privilege to be your bookseller in Naperville for the last 25 years,” the letter goes on. “While we’re saddened to vacate our current home, we are so excited to stay nearby and in a beautiful new bookstore.”
Prairie Market Shopping Center, at 2590 Route 34, is about 20 minutes southwest of downtown Naperville.
Last week, the village of Oswego separately announced that a Barnes & Noble was coming to town.
“I couldn’t be happier to welcome Barnes & Noble to our community!” Village President Ryan Kauffman said in a Dec. 21 press release. “Bookstores are one of my favorite spots.
“This new addition promises to be a haven for literature lovers and a vibrant hub for intellectual engagement. It’s not only a step forward in enhancing the cultural fabric of our town, but will also elevate and diversify our retail offerings.”
[ Barnes and Noble plans to open bookstore in Oswego ]
The Barnes & Noble planned for Oswego will take over a nearly 16,000-square foot space previously filled by DSW, Designer Shoe Warehouse, village officials said.
In their letter, the Naperville team lauded the Owego location as a “huge opportunity” to feature a new store design and an updated B&N Cafe.
While Barnes & Noble is transitioning out of Naperville, the national bookseller is still operating nearby in Bolingbrook (631 East Boughton Road) and Oak Brook (297 Oakbrook Center).
This story will be updated as more details become available.
