Book lovers in Northern New Jersey will soon have a brand-new literary destination as Barnes & Noble opens its doors at the Livingston Shopping Center on Aug. 5.
The nearly 25,000-square-foot store—located at 530 W Mt Pleasant Ave Unit A in the former buybuy BABY space next to World Market—marks a relocation from the former Livingston Mall site, which closed two weeks ago ahead of the aging complex’s planned redevelopment.
The grand opening celebration kicks off at 9:00 AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Livingston resident and internationally bestselling thriller author Harlan Coben, who will also sign copies of his acclaimed novel I Will Find You.
Grand opening highlights & festivities
- Celebrity Guests: Alongside Harlan Coben, beloved children’s book character The Cat in the Hat will make a special appearance for meet-and-greets and a weekend storytime.
- Exclusive Deals: Opening-week visitors can take advantage of special promotions, including $50 off any NOOK device and 40% off all DVD, Blu-ray, and 4k Ultra HD movies.
- Rewards Bonus: Barnes & Noble Premium and Rewards Members will earn double stamps on all purchases made at the Livingston location from August 5 through August 9.
The new storefront is the first Barnes & Noble grand opening in Northern New Jersey for the year, with another location slated to open in Wayne in the coming months. Designed to blend the charm of independent bookselling with the selection of a national brand, the store features an extensive inventory of books, toys, games, gifts, magazines, and an on-site Barnes & Noble Café.
“We are pleased to continue with this sparkling new store our 34-year tenure serving the Livingston, New Jersey community,” James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble, said. “The store in Livingston and our upcoming opening in Wayne later this year both promise to bring the very best of bookselling to these areas.”
Store Manager Meetra Andalibi-Finnigan, an 11-year Barnes & Noble veteran, echoed the enthusiasm: “We are excited to be moving to a vibrant, bustling location where we look forward to welcoming the Livingston community to their new Barnes & Noble!”
This opening is part of a broader nationwide resurgence for the company. After more than 15 years of declining numbers and dropping below 600 stores in 2023, Barnes & Noble now operates well over 700 bookstores, fueled by a retail strategy that empowers local booksellers to curate their own spaces.
