Barnes & Noble La Crosse Store Condemned After Roof Leaks

Safety hazards force closure of bookstore in Valley View Mall

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The City of La Crosse has condemned the Barnes & Noble bookstore located in Valley View Mall due to safety hazards caused by severe roof leaks. The bookstore is closed until further notice.

Why it matters

The closure of this Barnes & Noble location is a blow to the Valley View Mall, which has struggled with declining foot traffic and store closures in recent years. The condemnation raises concerns about the overall condition of the aging mall infrastructure.

The details

The city condemned the bookstore after inspectors found that severe roof leaks had created safety hazards inside the store. The leaks had damaged the building's structure and electrical systems, posing risks to customers and employees.

  • The bookstore was condemned on March 6, 2026.

The players

City of La Crosse

The local government authority that condemned the Barnes & Noble store due to safety concerns.

Valley View Mall

The shopping mall where the condemned Barnes & Noble bookstore was located, which has faced challenges with declining business in recent years.

Barnes & Noble

The national bookstore chain that operated the condemned location in La Crosse.

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What’s next

The city has not provided a timeline for when the bookstore may be able to reopen, pending repairs to the roof and other structural issues.

The takeaway

The closure of this Barnes & Noble highlights the broader challenges facing traditional retail stores and shopping malls, as they struggle to adapt to changing consumer habits and the rise of e-commerce.