The Barnes & Noble bookstore in Jack London Square plans to close January 31 when its lease expires, the Trib reports. The store has anchored the square for the past seventeen years. But the bookstore business has been hammered in recent years by Internet giants, such as Amazon.com. In addition, foot traffic declined significantly in the square after Ellis Partners purchased it from the port and decided to significantly raise rents and not renew some long-term leases with established businesses. Although Ellis Partners deserves credit for landing some new eateries, including Bocanova, most of the square remains empty.
FOLLOW US
