i review a book...store

yes.  this is a first.  i am reviewing a new book store.

a few weeks ago a new barnes and noble opened up in a neighboring community.  the book store juggernaut teamed up with bucknell university to create a store downtown to serve both students and the public.  for the past year a historic building was renovated to use for the store space.  i was curious to see what the store was like.

bNn is housed in a corner building that used to be a hardware store years ago.  the building sustained a fire in which some firemen died - this is acknowledged with a plaque out front.  i was in the building years ago when the building housed a clothing store.  at ten years old, watching your  mom and grandmother shop, it was boring.  in recent years there was a austrian restaurant (hubby and i always wanted to go there but never did), a book (!!!) store and another eclectic clothing store.  supposedly the area merchants were unhappy that a "big box store" was invading on their territory (a la You've Got Mail).  in fact there was a lovely bookstore across the street from where bNn was going in - the store catered to books by writers both local and throughout the state.  he moved his store to another community.  in a way, i understand why the local merchants feel that way.  on the other hand, i'm glad that the store is in town, and not in yet another strip mall.  i am more likely to shop at other independent stores (and Lewisburg has many lovely ones) if the book store is there.

the store has 3 levels.  the top floor contains college texts, student supplies, and from what i could see, a study area.  the second level sold bucknell merchandise.  the ground level contained the "regular" books, magazine stand, and a starbucks.  the levels are connected by escalators, the first ones in the county.  the building's original elevator was also restored.  pictures and other memorabilia of bucknell and the surrounding area are displayed throughout the store.  the building has a large, airy feel.

first i looked for the craft section.  it was very small - one set of shelves, maybe 4 feet across.  the knitting books were paltry, but i did get mochimochiland, an amigurumi book i'd been eyeing on amazon but hesitated buying becos i wanted to actually look at the book and see if it was a book worth investing in (definitely - the patterns are adorable, but i digress).  i looked for the nanny returns but couldn't remember who the author was, and was too tired to ask a clerk for help.  besides, the paperback comes out in a few weeks, so it gives me a good reason to go back.

i then went to the second level where all things blue and orange greeted me.  apparel, water bottles,  and other things were stocked well.  the third floor yielded school supplies (a shockingly small amount, but maybe kids buy their supplies at walmart and staples - they'd be much cheaper). i didn't really explore these levels as i wasn't interested in college texts or bucknell stuff.

i went back to the ground level and found the children's section in a sunken lower level.  it is a small section but i saw an area carved out with a table and chairs so families could sit with their children.  i picked up henry and ribsy by beverly cleary for the boy.  there was a small cluster of stuffed chairs across the room, inviting someone to sit and browse.

the magazine racks were up a few steps from this area.  i found the knitter and also picked up bust and real simple (i had a coupon for this magazine).  the racks are very small compared to the magazine section at a regular bNn or borders.

the starbucks is next to the racks.  you can buy prepackaged sandwiches, baked goodies and loose coffees and teas in addition to the usual hot and cold beverages.

i paid for my books and magazines then went to pick up a bite to eat.  i got a yummy raspberry smoothie (should have picked up a large instead of "tall" cos i was really thirsty) and a smoked turkey and cheese on a croissant.  the sandwich was a bit over priced - it wasn't even boar's head!

the store is very nice, albeit small compared to other mega bookstores.  i will definitely go back.

i have a couple of criticisms.  they are absurd, really.

first off, i wish the knitting section was bigger.  considering that it is a collegiate bookstore and that crafts aren't really the focus it is quite understandable.  i also wish the magazine section was bigger with a greater variety of magazines.

two, starbucks is really expensive.  but everyone knows that.

last, and this is just me, but i walked around expecting to see SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY gear there.  a sea of blue and orange and all i could think was "couldn't they sell a couple of SU sweatshirts here?"  when i told hubby this he laughed and said "it's a BUCKNELL store not a SU store - they have no obligations to sell SU stuff!"  yes, i realize it.  yes, i told you it was absurd.  but it's hard to go to a college bookstore that doesn't sell either SU or penn state stuff!

bNn at Bucknell is at the corner of market and 4th streets in lewisburg.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE visit other local merchants when you visit!  i highly recommend the purple platypus (a children's educational store), ellacinders (my bead store) and the mercantile (a cool housewares and gifts shop - they also sell vera bradley).  the campus theatre is also a great place to catch a flick.


this segment from wnep shows what the store looks like.