Woodbridge Gets Good News on B&N

It's going to be good news for Woodbridge and area residents. Barnes & Noble will not be closing its Menlo Park Mall store.

The Woodbridge Patch story that the bookstore chain will be closing at least 20 stores a year over the next ten years generated a response from the corporation.

"We extended the lease on our Menlo Park store through 2018," said B&N spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating. "We are not closing and plan to serve the community for many years to come."

It was a welcome relief for Woodbridge bookreaders. Since Borders closed its last store in Woodbridge Center in 2011, the township with almost 100,000 hasn't had a new bookstore to serve its devoted readers.

The Menlo Park Mall B&N store has been the closest book lovers could go to to fulfill their desire for the printed word.

The news that the Menlo store wasn't safeguarded set Patch readers on edge.

"I hope Barnes & Noble stays open in Menlo Park," said njangel163. "I always go there to browse, then I buy a few books each time I go.

"I don't like buying books online. Please keep Barnes & Noble!"

"I patronize the Menlo Park Barnes & Noble, and appreciate having a large bookstore nearby. Please, B&N, don't close it," said mrszzano, another Patch reader.

Amy said she had just spent $100 on books at the Menlo B&N. " I love this Barnes & Noble! Please don't close it, then where would I go to get books?", she said.

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