Despite previous reports, the much anticipated new Barnes & Noble store, scheduled to open in Wicker Park on July 31, will now welcome shoppers beginning September 4.
"We are sorry to disappoint our customers with the delayed opening of the Wicker Park store," said Simon Vodopianoff, director of store planning, in an official statement. "We are working with the city to ensure the correct preservation of the iconic historic elements of the building and look forward to opening our doors on September 4."
The opening is a pretty exciting one: The company is taking over the famous Noel State Bank Building at 1601 N. Milwaukee Ave., which used to be home to Walgreens until early 2023, when the store shuttered.
According to Block Club Chicago, the new Barnes & Noble "will use multiple levels" of the building to sell "books, toys, games, vinyl records and other gifts." Unlike some other bookstores, this destination will not include a cafe.
"Neighbors had mixed reactions to the planned Barnes & Noble when the news became public in February," writes Block Club Chicago. "Some neighbors were excited the massive building had finally found a tenant, while others, like the owners of Volumes Bookcafe a few blocks away, worried it could put them out of business."
Clearly, the company is on some sort of Chicago spree: This is the second Barnes & Noble to open in town this year alone.
Back in May, a Barnes & Noble debuted at 651 W. Diversey Pkwy. in Lincoln Park, the first to open in the city since the closing of the one at Webster Place back in March of 2023. That location was in business for a whopping 26 years. The company plans to open two more stores in the suburbs this year.