Barnes & Noble to Reopen at Old Orchard, Hyde Park Location Coming Soon

Bookstore chain plans multiple new stores in the Chicago area after recent closures.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Barnes & Noble is set to reopen a new location in the Westfield Old Orchard shopping center in Skokie, Illinois on Wednesday, just weeks after closing its previous store in the same mall. The new two-story, 23,000-square-foot store will feature a grand opening event with an author signing. The company also plans to open a new location next month in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago.

Why it matters

The return of Barnes & Noble to the Old Orchard mall and expansion into Hyde Park comes after the bookstore chain closed several locations in recent years amid industry challenges. The new stores signal a comeback for the brand in the Chicago market, though they face competition from established independent bookstores in Hyde Park.

The details

The new Old Orchard Barnes & Noble is located in a space previously occupied by Zara, near Loft and the Cheesecake Factory. The company is also opening a 18,000-square-foot store next month in the Hyde Park Shopping Center, which was previously home to the Hyde Park Co-Op Market and Treasure Island Foods grocery stores before they closed. While Hyde Park is known for its independent bookstores, Barnes & Noble is hoping to establish a presence in the neighborhood.

  • The new Barnes & Noble in Skokie will hold its grand opening on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The new Hyde Park location is set to open next month, in March 2026.

The players

Barnes & Noble

A major national bookstore chain that is making a comeback in the Chicago area after closing several locations in recent years.

Hayley Gelfuso

An author who will be cutting the ribbon and signing copies of her novel "The Book of Lost Hours" at the grand opening of the new Barnes & Noble in Skokie.

CIRCULATE

A local shopping initiative in Hyde Park that has come out against the planned opening of a new Barnes & Noble store in the neighborhood, citing competition with independent bookstores.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Barnes & Noble plans to open additional locations in Oak Park and in the former Old Navy space at 150 N. State St. in downtown Chicago in the coming year.

The takeaway

The return of Barnes & Noble to the Chicago market signals the company's efforts to regain a foothold in the region, though it faces challenges from established independent bookstores, particularly in neighborhoods like Hyde Park that have long prioritized local, community-oriented retail.