I'm happy that the new location is finally open, and I know I'll be here a lot, and the selection is great, but I have some complaints...
1. The lighting. It's track lighting with super bright-white lights pointed in all directions, rather than diffused lighting. This may seem like a weird thing to complain about, but I feel like no matter where I am, so many of the track lights are pointed directly in my eyes. I'm currently in the cafe, and I have to use my hair to block the nearest light so that I can sit on my laptop and focus comfortably. It's crazy how harsh the lighting is in here and how uncomfortable it is. If there was ONE thing I could request from the managers of this store, it's PLEASE find some way to diffuse the lighting in here. It's really really really harsh on the eyes and blindingly bright. The lighting alone changes the whole vibe of the store.
2. The cafe. I'm happy there are a lot of spaces to sit, eat, drink, and work, and plenty of seating, but it has a bit of a fast-food feel rather than a cozy bookstore. I was really hopeful this would be a cozy, relaxing place to work, but something about it feels more clerical and stiff and I'm not sure if I'll spend as much time in the cafe as I was hoping I might. The furniture is stiff, uncomfortable, and characterless.
3. The layout of the store. It's a maze design, and it's really difficult to navigate. I love simply spending time in Barnes and Noble, but to find anything is almost stressful. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, I couldn't really figure out a rhyme or reason to how some of the books are organized. This doesn't bother me enough to stop coming, but the other two issues do.
I want to be here all the time. I just feel good inside a Barnes and Noble bookstore. And this location is now closer to my house, so I'm just a couple of backroad turns away which I love. And I'm not even against the idea of updating the aesthetic to be a little bit more modern. But I swear the crazy lighting and uncomfortable furniture will probably keep me from hanging in the cafe every day while I work remotely. Super disappointing, since the other location felt a lot cozier and more inviting. read more