A Bookstore, One Year Later

I met my girlfriend Sara nearly a year ago. On our first date, we met at a restaurant, then after eating went to a nearby Barnes & Noble bookstore to look at books and chat while looking at books.

A year ago, the long wall where the magazines were shelved had comfortable padded benches the entire length of the magazine shelves; now, only two benches remain.

A year ago, upholstered chairs and tables were placed throughout the store, so that customers could rest while shopping, or browse through a book while deciding whether to purchase it; now those chairs are gone, replaced by a few hard, wooden chairs.

The message is clear: you are not welcome here. Get your books and get out.

I don't know if this is a decision that was made for this store only, or is to be found throughout the Barnes & Noble chain. Whichever it is, it's not friendly or welcoming, and I don't appreciate it.