-
March 2025 by Ara Rod
Honestly this B&N after the remodeling is not my favorite, I’m disappointed with this new design, and as a bilingual reader is frustrating to see the Spanish area, before there’s lots o books for my not English readers friends, right now there’s is just a tiny little space on a shelf that doesn’t even says that there’s Spanish books. Not shopping here anymore.
-
March 2025 by Yusra Khan
Significant lack of diverse authors throughout the store. The "New and Noteworthy" section showcased a very limited number of titles from across the globe. The religion section had an entire wall of one religion, but only 4 (not at all well known) books on Islam. Given that it is Black History Month, the display of "Black Voices in Fiction" was on a small table in the back.
While the store renovation is lovely, it does not reflect the diverse richness of Houston or our society. Sharing information and perspectives from different cultures, languages, and voices creates more understanding and respect for one another and changes negative perceptions. I hope to see this store highlight more of the amazing authors, individuals, and works from all over the world.
-
March 2025 by Michelle Nguyen
Love this store! So many books to choose from, hard decision. Seating mostly towards the front of the store, so sat on the floor to look through everything. Then, I went up font for coffee & sat in a chair to wait on my family while they selected their own choices.
-
February 2025 by Abby Schneider
I’ve been coming to this B&N since I was very young , I admit I was scared of the changes that were going to be made. I tried to stay positive but the store feels a lot less like a book store and a lot more like IKEA. It’s no longer designed to create a bookish atmosphere it’s designed to keep you in the store for longer, it’s mazey and inaccessible if you’re wheelchair bound I must say. The sitting areas are now interspersed amongst the books , very awkward experience trying to reach for a book thats inches away from someone having a conversation. It’s very modern and sleek to be sure but it isn’t homey at all anymore which is sad, some places need charm , not everything needs to be an Apple store!! It’s a fine store but this remodel has inspired me to invest in the nearby Blue Willow Bookshop :) Also remember that a library card is 100% free
-
February 2025 by zak south
This remodel is a shame. The store is now much smaller as they cut the old cafe area. The reading areas are gone, the homey feeling is gone. The lights are bright and fluorescent and it feels akin to a book section at Walmart now. It’s less a neighborhood hangout for the family and now just a book corner store. I can’t express how disappointed we are with the result of the remodel.
-
February 2025 by S C
The remodel was FLAT TOTALLY FLAT. THE CEILING IS FLAT WHERES THE STARBUCKS SIGN? AND THE KIDS PLAYGROUND?
THERES NOT EVEN A PLACE FOR THE KIDS TO SIT AND READ A BOOK, NO SPACE TO TALK TO OTHER KIDS. THIS STORE IS NOT CHARMING ANYMORE THIS PLACE FELT lIKE A LABYRINTH that’s it this store does not have the charm it’s well it’s modern, but THIS STORE HAS NO NO NO CHARM AT ALL BC ITS JUST Modern. IT HAVE A TRAIN, I LIKE BETTER THE OLD KIDS AREA LIKE THE DRAWINGS I MISS IT, BYE.Wait That is not it, IT FELT LIKE CONFUSING FOR KIDS AND OLDER PEOPLE THEY DID NOT THINK ABOUT THEIR COSTUMERS and well I found dog man and one toys. WHERE ARE CLASSIC BOOKS? No Space To Play with the toys like are u serious.This looks good but it lost its charm like I loved more the other store. Well allot of my fun memories it was good memories it use to the charming and classic but it lost its charm we miss u old Barnes’s and noble.
-
February 2025 by Draven Pascual
TL;DR: cool store. Don’t love the remodel.
—
Ah, Barnes & Noble, my once-familiar friend.
I remember the cherished days of my youth, running through your labyrinth of literary treasures. Warm, honeyed light, like a gentle embrace, bounced off your colorful walls and murals, illuminating the dark-stained oak shelves just enough to reveal my chosen picture book of the day. The soft palette of desaturated colors formed the perfect backdrop for your endless rows of vibrant books, magazines, records, and collectibles. Before Starbucks became a treat, you, dear Barnes & Noble, were my sanctuary, my third place—my home away from home, my school away from school. But time, as it inevitably does, marches on, and memories of old make way for what we hope will be brighter times.
Like us, you've aged, trading your warm yellows, browns, and forest greens for light grey carpets and bright, naturally grained shelves. Those shelves that once formed your alluring maze are now bathed in stark white light, almost searing into my older, more discerning eyes. And though my eyes may wince at the change, my heart doesn't yet despair. For beneath your cool, modern exterior, I believe your own heart still beats—I hear it in the rustle of turning pages, the quiet thrum of countless stories waiting to be discovered. And if you’ve taught me anything at all, it is that where that heart continues to beat, where the rhythm of stories rages onward, there is still life to be lived, adventures aplenty to be found.
-
February 2025 by Sam C
I didn’t want to leave this review. I wanted to rave and celebrate the fact that B&N is back, but I must admit, the remodel is quite terrible :(
A couple things:
The floor plan mimics the same one as the Wesleyan location. In other words, terrible.
The lighting is INTENSE, very bright and aggressive. I question whether this was intentional? To keep customers in the store for a shorter period of time, to grab their books and go.
The layout is maze-like and not wheelchair accessible.
There are a lot more lounge chairs but they are very awkwardly placed.
The environment is not enjoyable or relaxing.
This location used to have a very thoughtful and extensive vinyl, DVD, and blu-ray section, they have reduced that to 95% and it is the only thing about the store that is completely underwhelming.
I am so sorry to my fellow bookies.
The only thing good about this remodeled store is the convenience of location, I recommend the library instead.
-
February 2025 by Noah Layne Poteet
I would like to specifically express grievances about an employee named MARK. I could not believe the utter lack of spacial awareness taking place as some of us were trying to look through the vinyl records. He was sitting there sorting through this one particular area of the product and absolutely would not move, even though many of us were inching toward that area hoping to see those specific albums. He just continued needlessly re-organizing the records without any regard for the fact that we wanted to look at them, and basically pretended we weren’t there. Very disappointed in that behavior, especially for a store that’s just opened.
-
February 2025 by Joni S
The remodel has made the store very cold and corporate but the biggest issue is how inaccessible it now is especially for wheelchair users. It’s a maze. Maybe scooch the sitting areas a bit so that everyone can still reach the shelves. Why was there a table dedicated to trump and why is there a permanent Harry Potter only section?
-
June 2024 by Judy Schafer
Does anyone know when this store location will reopen?????
-
April 2024 by Saint G (Dasaint)
Permanently closed!
-
April 2024 by Miguel Silva
It’s closed
-
April 2024 by TRACY WOLD
Closed business. ? sadly
-
March 2024 by Born Uhuru
Typical bookstore with SELECT books and a very small section for "African American" literature. There is nothing special about Barnes and Noble but it's good to see it still exist.
