Write Around Tampa

Barnes & Noble

33591 US Hwy 19 N

Palm Harbor

Another grand opening, this one happened in October at the new Palm Harbor store. Let me say it’s sandwiched between a Trader Joe’s and Michaels. Win-win-win before I even get through the door. And oh, when I went through the door . . .

Quality and pricing of food and drink:

Typical B&N/Starbucks fare. I got the ham and cheese croissant with jalapeno aioli ($7.95) and a huge bottle of water (Acqua Panna!). I always come flush with gift cards (thank you everyone who loves and supports me) so $0 (but somewhere around $11 for those without gift cards or membership, which seems unheard of for this huge bottle of Acqua Panna). The croissant was cheesy and hammy with just the right kick. Delicious addition to the menu.

Are there enough outlets?

Yes! Outlets at practically every seat. I’m plugged in right now.

How’s the wifi?

Great wifi, public, you just have to agree to their terms and conditions.

Will my muse come out?

She’ll come out and split into twins, one who sits with you and one who runs around looking at the shelves.

How long can I park it?

From open to close, which is 10am to 9pm most days. This B&N follows the new business model, which I have to say I’m not a fan of, but here it works. There are two café seating areas, with a nice big window in the front one. This bookstore is magical.

Final rating: 5 of 5 laptops (10! 10 laptops!)

Rachel Remick’s fiction and non-fiction stories have appeared in various magazines, among them Rosebud, Bluestem and ellipsis . . . literature and art. A frequent contributor to women’s magazine Sasee, her writing has also been published in several volumes of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books. She lives in Tampa, Florida.