For over three decades, the Barnes & Noble at Kendall Village has served as more than just a bookstore — it has been a community gathering place, a quiet refuge for readers, and a vibrant hub for cultural events and education. This beloved literary institution will close its doors on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. But don't shelve your reading list just yet — a brand-new location is coming just weeks later, ensuring that the spirit of Barnes & Noble continues in the heart of Kendall.
Located at 12405 N. Kendall Drive, the Kendall Village store opened in 1996 and quickly became a local fixture. With over 55,000 square feet of books, music, games, and a café that welcomed countless conversations and study sessions, it stood as one of the chain's flagship stores in South Florida.
Its closure, however, isn't due to a lack of popularity. The building and surrounding 3.8-acre property are being redeveloped to make way for one of the nation's largest Rooms To Go furniture superstores. The current structure will be demolished to accommodate the new project, marking the end of an era for the original building.
Fortunately, Barnes & Noble is not leaving Kendall for good. The bookstore chain has confirmed it will reopen in late October 2025 at The Palms at Town & Country shopping center, located at 8525 Mills Drive — just a short drive from the current site.
The new location will occupy a space formerly held by Forever 21, nestled between Lane Bryant and Nordstrom Rack. Though smaller at approximately 20,000 square feet, the new store will follow Barnes & Noble's fresh retail concept: cozier, highly curated spaces prioritizing a personalized shopping experience, with more themed tables, focused sections, and welcoming community areas. A café is also expected to return as part of the new design.
Before the doors close at Kendall Village, the store is holding significant clearance sales — an excellent opportunity for book lovers to grab their favorites and support the location during its farewell weeks:
📚 25% off all books, including hardcovers and box sets
🎶 20% off music, movies, and select media
🧸 50% off items in the Book Annex and bargain section
🧩 Discounts on toys and games (excluding LEGO products)
These offers will run through the final day of operation on September 24, while supplies last.
The relocation is not a sign of decline — quite the opposite. Barnes & Noble is experiencing a national resurgence, opening over 30 stores in 2024, and planning more than 60 additional openings in 2025. This new Kendall store is part of that growth, and reflects the company's strategy to move into smaller, more efficient spaces that better serve local readers.
For regular customers who rely on the Kendall store for their literary fix, there's no need to worry. In the meantime, Nearby Barnes & Noble locations in Dadeland and Coral Gables remain open for book pickups, events, and café visits in the meantime.
As Kendall's community of readers prepares to say goodbye to a long-standing landmark, it's comforting to know a new chapter is already being written — one that promises to keep books, stories, and connection alive in the neighborhood.
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