Illinois’ Largest Barnes & Noble Is Coming This Summer

Why This B&N Store Is a Big Deal

Guess what, book lovers? The biggest Barnes & Noble store in Illinois is opening this summer, and honestly… I can’t wait!

Illinois’ Largest Barnes & Noble Is Coming This Summer

So, here’s a little confession: I’ve recently gotten into reading (I know, I know, late to the party). My goal this year is to read 75 books. Most of them I tackle on my Kindle, but I get it, some of you love the real deal: the feel of a book in your hands, the smell of fresh pages, and, of course, the thrill of wandering through endless shelves. Well, Barnes & Noble just announced four new stores in the Chicago area, and one of them? The largest in the city.

It’s taking over the old Old Navy building on State Street, a whopping 30,000 square feet that’s been empty since 2023. According to Block Club Chicago, this store is going to be a huge boost for the area, which is still trying to bounce back since COVID-19.

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What to Expect Inside the 30,000 Sq Ft Space

Can you even imagine it? A 30,000-square-foot playground full of books…and toys. I never thought I’d say this, but I get legitimately excited about bookstores now. I used to just keep walking past them, but these days, I can spend hours just browsing, hunting for my next great read.

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There’s no exact opening date yet, but Barnes & Noble says it’ll be sometime this summer, perfect timing for tourists and locals alike. I have a feeling I’m going to need a full day to explore it all once it opens. I never would’ve imagined typing that a few years ago, but here we are. I can’t wait.