Barnes & Noble Reopens at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie

The new bookstore is located just around the corner from its original store at the shopping center.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Barnes & Noble has celebrated the grand reopening of its bookstore at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie, Illinois. The new location opened just under a month after the original store closed as part of the shopping center's ongoing renovations. The new two-story, 23,000-square-foot store offers the retailer's familiar assortment of books, toys, games, magazines, and gift items.

Why it matters

The reopening of the Barnes & Noble store at Westfield Old Orchard is significant as it maintains the retailer's presence in the popular shopping destination and ensures continued access to books and other products for the local community. The new store is part of a broader expansion plan for Barnes & Noble in Illinois this year.

The details

The new Barnes & Noble store opened on February 25, just three weeks after the original location closed. The new store is two stories and nearly 23,000 square feet, offering the same range of products as the previous location. Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt expressed the company's pleasure at remaining in Old Orchard and its commitment to improving the bookstore experience for customers.

  • The original Barnes & Noble store at Westfield Old Orchard closed in January 2026.
  • The new Barnes & Noble store at Westfield Old Orchard opened on February 25, 2026.

The players

James Daunt

The CEO of Barnes & Noble.

Sarah Kane

The store manager of both the old and new Barnes & Noble locations at Westfield Old Orchard.

Westfield Old Orchard

A shopping center in Skokie, Illinois where the Barnes & Noble store is located.

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What they’re saying

“We are very pleased to remain in Old Orchard. Our booksellers have done an amazing job setting this new shop up in just three weeks.”

— James Daunt, CEO (patch.com)

“We are thrilled to continue serving our Old Orchard community and excited to sustain and grow our book lovers here in Skokie. We eagerly await to welcome customers into our vibrant new space.”

— Sarah Kane, Store Manager (patch.com)

What’s next

The new Barnes & Noble store at Westfield Old Orchard is the first of four new locations the retailer plans to open in Illinois this year. Additional new stores are set to open in Hyde Park this month and on State Street and in Oak Park this summer.

The takeaway

The reopening of the Barnes & Noble store at Westfield Old Orchard demonstrates the retailer's commitment to maintaining a presence in this popular shopping destination and serving the local community of book lovers. The new store's expanded size and product offerings suggest Barnes & Noble's confidence in the continued demand for physical bookstores, even as the industry faces challenges from e-commerce.