Barnes & Noble, a Redwood City staple for over three decades, will close its Sequoia Station location come fall.
The owner of 1091 El Camino Real has asked the bookstore to vacate by Sept. 16, according to Val de Leon, the store’s assistant manager.
“We’re seeing more business than Christmas,” de Leon said, pointing to the closing sale the store began last week, when employees learned of the closure.
The sale offers 40%-off all books, music, and games, while magazines are 30% off. The discounts could decrease as the last day inches closer, de Leon said.
“This is like my childhood bookstore,” de Leon said of the Barnes & Noble at Sequoia Station. “It’s nice to at least be here during this transition, but I’m sad to see it go.”
De Leon said employees had believed the store’s lease ran until January 2027, so the sudden closure notice was a surprise. The team is still interested in operating out of Redwood City, but from a new home.
De Leon would love to expand the bookstore to include a café, and, ideally, rehouse it in the Rite Aid space at 340 Woodside Plaza. However, she said another location that’s at least 5,000 square feet could also work.
The store has seen increased traffic since the sale thanks to the May-time closure of Barnes & Noble in San Bruno, de Leon said. She said demand remains strong because customers continue to value ownership of books, toys and physical media despite competition from online retailers.
De Leon said many customers have expressed disappointment over the Sequoia Station location closing, especially Sequoia High School students who flock to the bookstore after school as a “third space.” The store also draws train commuters because it’s located next to the Caltrain Redwood City station.
Barnes & Noble said it operated 712 bookstores across the country in June, up from around 600 storefronts in 2023. The company plans to open five new locations in California and 60 new stores nationwide by the end of the year.
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