Sorry folks the deal is done. B&N is done - and the bigger picture is a small minority use bookstores - check any research/studies on the issue. Electronic ordering and delivery is much preferred by the majority of folks. It's progress. I don't think a business wants to stay in a location to lose money for a small user group. It's not UNICEF.

My son, Jimmy Flood, a 6th Grader at Forest Edge Elementary, started a written petition 2 days ago and has almost 200 signatures already (and he's obviously in school all day). The majority of people he spoke to said they want a bricks and mortar store, not electronic ordering, for various reasons including the browsing experience, speed of receiving their books, and the lack of cost for delivery, etc. I don't believe folks prefer electronic ordering. It's just becoming the only option. That folks don't prefer it is borne out by a recent article in the Atlantic Monthly about Nashville, where profitable book stores, including B &N, closed, leaving Nashville without a book store. In stepped some folks who opened an independent book store, which is doing extremely well. B&N is still profitable. Even if Lerner has completed their Container Store lease transaction, B&N says they want a Reston location. They should make it happen.

There is wonderful article in the current Atlantic by the novelist Ann Patchett on her experience opening an independent bookstore in her hometown of Nashville. So where are you David Baldacci?

This is a very unfortunate situation. I work for a development company and understand both sides. If the lease is already signed with The Container Store than unfortunately a grass roots effort by the community won't do much good, especially with a company like Lerner. Landlord's are interested in profits, the funny part is, i'm not sure The Container Store's profits are that much greater than B&N. While I agree with the earlier post that more and more people are ordering on line and using e-readers the response that "we're doing that because we don't have alternatives" is also true. People do like the experience of going to a brick & mortar store and having live people answer questions/make suggestions. Unfortunately the big box stores are running themselves out of the traditional brick & mortar stores because it's a lot less expensive to run an on line company, far less overhead when you only have to pay for warehouse space. What we really need is a good infusion of mom & pop shops that people support. Landlord's traditionally don't like mom & pops because they aren't credit tenants, but, if the community supports them and really makes and effort to keep them in business, landlords have no choice. At the end of the day it's the consumers who make the most difference. If you don't support the stores landlord's put in, eventually they have to listen.

Stuart, that's the article to which I was referring in my post. I agree it's a terrific article and speaks to this very issue.

Given the approved plans to ultimately demolish the big boxes and replace them with offices and housing....apparently "as soon as the leases could be worked out" I'm not surprised B&N could not renew their lease. I assumed the Container Store might be a short-term tenant, required to move when redevelopment starts, but maybe this is yet another ploy by Lerner. Recognizing that the economy STILL isn't ready for the new project Remember the Little Professor Bookstore in North Point? They won a suit against Lerner; apparently a there was a clause in their contract about no other bookstore opening within a certain distance. So when B&N opened....that was a mom and pop store, I believe.

"Meanwhile, a "Save the Reston Barnes & Noble" petition has been started. Organizers are hoping that a grassroots effort - much like the Rescue Reston group that is advocating for Reston National Golf Course to stay as open space despite an inquiry about development from the course's owner - will spark change, even though a longterm lease has already been signed by The Container Store."

Maybe they will start putting signs up all over town saying "Save this bookstore" in front of locations that are clearly not bookstores!

I've not seen in any of the comments concern about the employees that will lose their jobs. Please think about them as they will suffer the most.

While a petition is a great idea, perhaps it should also be sent the corporate offices of Barnes and Noble, including a plea to find another location nearby so that they don't have to leave our area. Perhaps Reston Town Center or Reston Station where the metro will be, would be good options.

You ain't seen nothing yet!

When Lerner does re-develop the Spectrum area (probably later than sooner), it is likely that a number of current stores will disappear because rents will go up. Among these might be Best Buy (whose box stores are facing the same online competition as book stores), On the Border, Macaroni Grill, & La Madeline restaurants (to be replaced by maybe a dozen other chain restaurants--on top of the two dozen in Town Center), and other smaller (especially any local) businesses.

Expect to see the further gray, sterile corporatizing of Reston retail. Otherwise, you will only be further saddened.

Same thing happened in Amarillo, TX last fall, with happy outcome. It may not be rent, it may be lease term. Hard to know the future in retailing.... Good luck on your activism. Bookstores and libraries are important to the ongoing civilization. It's not just about price. http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2012-10-08/barnes-noble-landlords-reach-lease-agreement

Reston consumers (and workers) will always be at the mercy of non-local employers, investors, and developers as long as 1) we are not a town with the ability to control our own future, and 2) we invite or accept large numbers of big box stores or chain stores with headquarters (hence decision-makers) located in far flung places. Not only does this situation leave us open to the impacts of decisions made far away, but it ensures our local dollars (except for local wages) leave our community and go to corporate coffers far away from Reston.

If you're following Reston's Used Book Store on Facebook, you will have noticed this Reston landmark is coming up on its 35th anniversary. Locally owned stores stay in our community - they don't leave. Think of Lake Anne Florist, Small Change Consignment, the pharmacy at Lake Anne, The Wine Cabinet in North Point....
If we want local stores, we may have to think about local investment instruments to help folks open local stores. If you're interested in the concept of local investment, please get in touch with Sustainable Reston at info@sustainablereston.org .

Stu - Actually, communities all over are rewriting accepted "business as usual" with local solutions. Pick up a copy of Michael Shuman's latest book, "Local Dollars, Local Sense", or take a look at some of the successful local currencies and local investment instruments throughout the country. These are relatively new --- except for our own Reston Useful Services Exchange which is, after all, a local currency based on the value of an hour of work - but the data are encouraging.

I agree it may be wishful thinking to hope that these models could apply to Reston with our current land use, zoning, and ownership structure. But it never hurts to envision a different future that is more local. (For a nearby peek at what this might look like, take a drive up to Shepherdstown, WV and check out the thriving local shops. Smaller population base, but great local economy.... And a super local bookstore...)

Record/CD stores went through the same transition (or demise). I don't seem to remember people getting all that hot and bothered about them. Face it, folks, you may not like it but this is how the world works. I like bookstores myself and have to admit that a small part of me will miss B&N but in the end, I'm not shedding any tears.

Maybe B&N can go in Tall Oaks Village Center where the old Giant was. That has been empty for YEARS!!! Is this a Lerner run shopping Center too--maybe that is why it is a dying empty shopping Center. We miss the old Giant and it was very successful......until the rents kept going up and up. Something better go in soon with subway opening up in a month or too!!!!

Cross your fingers that Whole Foods doesn't leave as well. The Reston location is pretty much a "botique" store as Whole Foods go because of its small size. Greenberry's changed hands and went down the drain too. I spent many cold and dreary days in that Barnes and Noble. I'm out of state now but hate to hear the news.

What sort of patronage and market research does Lerner need to see to confirm that Barnes and Noble is a favorite resource for Reston as a community? Does any of their thought processes include the original concept of Reston as a diversified, aesthetic, and thriving community supporting all the needs of its residents...especially the intellectual, educational and recreational needs. The Container Store does NOT fall into any of those categories as I see it, I can drive to Tyson's for that type of purchase when needed on the occasional time when needed. The book store is a far more frequent destination for whatever form of reading you engage in, for gifts, for browsing (and many a spontaneous purchase...certainly not something I'll do at the CS) and for a good cup of coffee!
The closing of the store is a travesty.

Nancy Roig

This isn't about Reston. This is about B&N business, and bookstores in general. B&N lost almost $30mil in the second quarter when compared to a year ago. Lerner may have asked for something in their lease that B&N was uncomfortable with (like a long term lease) and with two other locations within a 20 minute drive, they've got some redundancy.

Google B&N and their economic and performance, and the gritty details are beyond the Reston-centric universe. They're struggling to find their way, and cutting loose a store is in their best interest. Timing and circumstances dictates that Reston loses on this one.

B&N has been actively divesting its physical book store business for several years, closing more than 1 store per month. Problem is, people love the stores for browsing but, too often, buy stuff elsewhere.
The real solution actually is an old concept: a good library, where browsing is part of the business model. We need to push for an upgraded Reston library: comfortable space to sit and read, extensive magazine subscriptions, lots of books to browse, long hours. And … how about a Starbucks on site with shared revenue helping support library operations? A little forward thinking could go a long way.

Yes, Reston Regional Library, obsolete from the day it opened, will be replaced. We need to make sure the new design better suits the needs of our community.

I love Nancy Nunan's son's idea for a petition! I'd love to sign!

For those who want to sign the written petition, my son and his friends and parents/responsible adults will be in front of Barnes and Noble at 2 pm tomorrow (Sunday, December 9).

Mr. Robinson was right when he told Dustin Hoffman's character that "it's all about plastic, plastic is the future" or some such malarky. Everyone thought that was hilarious and preposterous! At that time housewives were earning money selling Tupperware from there living rooms. Now plastic is so important that it has replaced BOOKS in Reston! Who would have thunk? It's all about real estate developers gettting their way to the detriment of our community. Our beautiful Reston needs some divine intervention, cause mortals ain't getting the job done here!

Why is there all this crying about a big-box book store when there is a grossly underutilized PUBLIC LIBRARY only a block away?! Come on people, our library is a great place! I prefer to bring my little ones to the library than to a store that sells as much toys/gifts/chocolate etc as it does reading materials. Good grief. When was the last time you went to Reston Regional Library or The Reston Used Book Shop at Lake Anne? If you really want to support your community try frequenting those awesome places first.
Secondly, The Container Store is a wonderful company. They bring a tremendous amount of positive things to the communities they choose to open stores in. They partner (generously so) with local nonprofits, they are a destination store that will bring high-end shoppers from other communities into Reston, and they offer a unique service. So far beyond plastic boxes. Give them a chance!

So, here's my cynical take on this. Lerner doesn't actually want a successful business in that mall. They want to put stuff in there that's going to fail. If they can generate enough failure, when they want to redevelop the location, they'll be able to say that using the existing space has proved to be economically unfeasible and, therefore, the BoS should allow them to redevelop as they see fit over the protestations of the filthy masses.

I know, I know. It sounds kind of twisted and self-defeating, but it's no more far-fetched than, say, the House Republicans keeping the economy in the tank and refusing to pass any kind of legislation that might help in order to make sure that the then-current President is a one-termer and that they're boy wins the election.

Hi Ms. Charles
I was at the Reston Regional Public library a week ago, and at the Reston Used Book Shop LAST week. We frequent both of them, in addition to the Barnes and Noble. Just because folks want a B&N in Reston doesn't mean they don't frequent the used book store or the library. I certainly can't get everything I need at either place. I love the used book store for certain things, the library for certain things, and the B&N for certain things. There's value and room for all three.

We will have one bookstore left--the used bookstore at Lake Anne. A container store will not draw customers as B&N did to the shopping center Lerner is not doing a favor to any of their other occupants.

I guess buying way over priced plastic containers at a store that needs to pay the same rent, makes sense for people glued to their Ipads and Kindles, I mean where else can you get a container for your paper clips? Maybe Office Depot? Building up might be great for business, but if a landlord wants to force people to leave based on money, you will have another Tysons Corner here in Reston, traffic in Tysons is so bad businesses are moving back to Arlington and Maryland, I fear the greed in the area will be our own undoing. This building up mentality makes me so glad I moved out of Reston years ago.

Keith, you've never actually been in a Container Store, right?

Not only does B&N sell books, they also have a good selection of children's toys and games, another thing that is now virtually unavailable in Reston. Remember Zany Brainy and Imaginarium? Books-a-Million? With those stores gone, where do you go for a last minute high quality gift for a birthday party?

What about fundraisers? Through 3 different schools, we've had fundraisers at B&N. Everyone agrees that reading is the number one criteria for success in schools. It makes sense to have fundraisers at a bookstore. It conveys a consistent message.

A bookstore is not the same as a library. Have you ever tried to get a popular book, recently released, at the library? Good luck.

Yes, I buy books from Amazon - but I also buy books at B&N because (1) it's convenient (2) I need it that day or (3) I find an interesting book that I wouldn't otherwise have found by browsing. We have Nooks and iPads. It is a different reading experience.

I don't think you can call Reston a community without a bookstore - a REAL bookstore, not a used bookstore. Bookstores and coffee shops are gathering places. I don't see anyone gathering in the Container Store.

I don't know what all the factors are in Lerner's decision, but as a community, we need a bookstore. I go to the bookstore about once every other week. I go to the Container Store once a year. Our neighborhoods should serve OUR needs, not the needs of Lerner Enterprises.

Is there a shortage of overpriced containers, imported from China, at the Target store down the street or Walmart etc? I had no idea we needed another store so close by for such goods.
Our community desperately needs Barnes and Noble to stay.
Just when Reston was finally becoming a great place to live, we lose our one and only large book store. A major blow to our local educational and cultural environment!
How SAD.
Way to go Lerner.

FYI, Barnes and Noble LET their lease expire. They did not put up some sort of fight to stay like is being imagined. Our location did not make enough profits to make it worth their while to keep it. Of course B&N has an strong corporate image to protect and does not want to be seen as "cutting-back" so it puts the decision on Lerner. Having a book store in Reston is great, but we didn't financially support it the way it needed to be supported to pay the lease. I was at B&N with my kids this weekend, we had a nice time, I drank my Starbucks, they ran around, we bought a couple books and a DVD. I will miss B&N for sure. But casting Lerner or The Container Store as the villain in this story is just not accurate. WE as the consumers made this choice. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one in Reston that spent more at Amazon and iTunes than I did at B&N.

AmyK who ate your cereal this morning.

I don't think the Lerners, who aren't in Reston, realize or care that this is bad for Reston. There is NO ONE who is going to move to or from Reston because we do or don't have a Container Store. There are plenty of people who feel like the lack of a large bookstore for a beautiful and prestigious town like Reston is unacceptable. Not having B&N is bad for the businesses around it and in the long-term bad for the Lerners. This is short-sighted at best.

I regret to say that I learned about the closing of the B&N after it closed and I also regret to say that I learned about it from an employee of the Container Store at Tyson's where I was shopping. I am sad to see the store go and I don't believe that I ever visited it without buying something. I certainly never went there to explore what I might ultimately buy on line (as many Best Buy shoppers do). It was fun going to the store because you inevitably see something that you would never have found in the somewhat regimented on line venues. It’s somewhat like the difference between reading the news on line rather than in a hard copy of a newspaper—your eye catches articles that you very well might have missed on line.

I only wish that B&N had originally opened in the Town Center rather than in the Spectrum Center. A bookshop should be located where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic where people don’t have to make it an isolated destination. An example is the very popular B&N in Bethesda, located at a busy intersection with the Landmark Theatres across the street. It's a great place to meet someone before or after a movie, or before or after dinner at one of the many restaurants there. I would hope that if there is any chance of inducing B&N to return, or if a smaller, independent bookseller would consider opening here, that it could be in the Town Center. Such a store definitely does not belong in a strip mall at least in this town.

I have lived and worked near the Town Center for many years and B&N was like a sanctuary and I would have to say Reston may be growing, but it is not growing in the sense of community, it was a real community years ago where small and large businesses coexisted. Ordering books online just helps people who demand convenience over due diligence I guess Reston is all about snobbery, impatience and a more main stream society of slaves to technology