Full disclosure: I used to work at this B&N, although that was over 20 years ago, so...I think the…read morebias has passed.
There aren't many "pure" bookstores left these days. Even Barnes and Noble has had to diversify their stock significantly: you'll find a lot more toys, games, gifts, DVDs (Criterion!) and the like than you would have before the Dot Com boom, when Amazon started shoving legacy booksellers out of the market like a stampeding sumo wrestler.
Yes, we have the world famous Powell's nearby, which is a treasure trove of knowledge and lore, and more affordable to the customer, but little to none of that money ends up back in the hands of the author, as it's a second-hand transaction (or third...or fourth...or fifth...). Mind you, I'm not knocking the used book model/market...just pointing out the facts.
Despite it all, B&N has withstood the test of time, somehow, even while its contemporaries (Borders, B. Dalton, et al.) folded around them; their chapters ended, their covers closed for good. And yes, when it comes down to it, Barnes and Noble is, most likely, a soulless corporate entity, squeezing as many pennies out of the slowly dying print media market as is possible.
Hell, even I read most books on my Kindle these days; buying a physical copy of any book is reserved for a handful of my favorite authors, special editions, etc. But there is something special about the feel, the smell of a good book, as well as just simply being submerged in the ambiance and atmosphere of literature. I could spend hours here. I have, in fact...and not just when I was stocking shelves! Us analog aficionados are a weird bunch.
This location is surprisingly well-kept, for its age. It's a lot more organized than was often the case when I worked here, and not for any lack of trying on my part! Inevitably coming on shift, the place was always a mess, and I spent hours putting it back in order, every day. Perhaps there's been a shift in the customer base: as readership has declined, the types of people who ever shop at a bookstore in the first place has dwindled to a handful of hardcore bibliophiles, there are likely a lot less people pulling out random stacks of books and leaving them to be tidied up by the staff. Either that, or the employees here are just really good...or neurotic...or both.
Prices are MSRP, with discounts on best sellers (up to 40% off), staff recommendations, and sales, so it's hard to complain about price. You *might* be able to find something cheaper on Amazon, but considering how far their star has fallen in recent years, that's unlikely. Also, it's probably here, on the shelf - just come pick it up; you *know* Amazon's shipping isn't actually going to get it to your house in two days...they haven't been able to do that for years, now.
Also, as stated before, the shop is very clean, organized, and well-stocked, as most B&Ns are. All of the staff are pleasant and helpful, in my experience (and hey, only one of them *still* works there, from back when I was employed, so again, no bias here!). The membership, sadly, is still not worth it though, unless you are buying more than $250 here every year. If you are, well...kudos to you! Go for it!
Barnes and Noble may be the big box of bookstores, but as far as big box stores go, I don't feel as guilty spending money here. I'd rather have this over another Walmart...at least I know the customers here can read.
