WESTMINSTER, MD – Barnes & Noble has opened a new bookstore in Maryland last week. The Westminster Barnes & Noble is located in Westminster Crossing West (402 Englar Rd, Westminster, MD 21157), next to Michaels, in the space formerly occupied by Gavigan’s Furniture.
[Photo above of grand opening from Instagram]
The design of the Westminster store showcases the ambition of Barnes & Noble to create exceptional local bookstores that marry the best traditions of independent bookselling with the resources of the historic chain. The new Westminster Barnes & Noble will cover nearly 20,000 square feet, including a B&N Café, and carry all the best books, as well as a wide range of toys, games and the usual paper and gifting items found at Barnes & Noble.
“We are very pleased to open this beautiful new Barnes & Noble in Westminster, our first in Carroll county,” said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. “The enthusiastic response from the community has been very encouraging, and our Westminster booksellers have been hard at work preparing a bookstore curated with their new customers in mind.”
Barnes & Noble is enjoying a period of tremendous growth as the strategy to hand control of each bookstore to its local booksellers has proven so successful. The bookseller is experiencing strong sales in its existing stores and has been opening many new stores after more than 15 years of declining store numbers. In 2024, Barnes & Noble opened more new bookstores in a single year than it had in the whole decade from 2009 to 2019. The bookseller expects to open over 60 new bookstores in 2025.
The Westminster location was one of seven new Barnes & Noble bookstores that opened in July, alongside new stores in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Each grand opening has drawn enthusiastic crowds that wrap around the building, filling the store as the ribbon is cut.
“I am so excited for this new Westminster Barnes & Noble to be a place for everyone to attend events, book clubs, and activities for all ages,” said Store Manager Carmin Windsor, Barnes & Noble bookseller of 25 years. “I can’t wait for the community of Westminster to visit their new Barnes and Noble!”
