Listen to this articleBarnes & Noble is relocating another one of its New Jersey stores.
After signing a long-term lease at Livingston Shopping Center, the popular bookseller expects to leave its home at Livingston Mall by mid- to late 2027, according to Elmwood Park-based RIPCO Real Estate.
At Livingston Shopping Center, Barnes & Noble is taking a 24,740-square-foot space formerly occupied by Buybuy Baby.
Fellow tenants at the Kite Realty-owned Route 10 property include Nordstrom Rack, Ulta Beauty, World Market, DSW and TJMaxx.
RIPCO Executive Vice President Steven Winters commented, “Barnes & Noble is a highly sought-after national retailer, and their commitment to Livingston Shopping Center underscores the strength of this location and the long-term vision for the property. Route 10 continues to be one of northern New Jersey’s premier retail corridors, and we are excited to welcome a brand that serves as both a retail anchor and a community destination for Livingston and the sur-rounding area.”
According to a press release announcing the deal, Winters, along with RIPCO Vice Chairman Brian Schuster and Executive Vice President Mike Horne, represented landlord Kite Realty. VanRock CRE Principal Marc Palestina represented Barnes & Noble.
A Barnes & Noble spokesperson added, “We are excited about the relocation. The move allows us the opportunity to open a brand new store in our new design.”
Making changes
After more than 15 years of declining store numbers, Barnes & Noble is now in the midst of a growth spurt. Over the past two years, the chain has opened more than 100 new outposts across the country.
At its peak in 2008, Barnes & Noble had nearly 730 locations throughout the U.S. Now, it has more than 690 stores nationwide, including 22 in New Jersey. Locally, Barnes & Noble has relocated a few stores in recent years, including Paramus, Union and Clark.
At the enclosed Livingston Mall, high vacancies and declining foot traffic prompted the township to designate the 43-acre property in 2024 as an area in need of redevelopment.
Since then, the township has been running a community-led planning process to build a vision for the site’s future. In March 2025, officials held a week-long series of community meetings and workshops with residents to help create a concept that will shape a formal redevelopment plan.
