Monday, April 16, 2018

Disgruntled Barnes & Noble fan leaves graffiti message at former Bethesda Row location

A fan of Barnes & Noble has protested the exit of the bookseller from Bethesda Row by leaving a graffiti message of his/her displeasure on the construction walls around their former space. "Community Cornerstone R.I.P.," reads the message in U.S. Army-style stencil font. The statement refers to the bookstore's role as a community gathering space over the last two decades.


Meanwhile, the bookstore space's future tenants, Anthropologie & Co. and Terrain Cafe, have put up fancier messages on other parts of the wall. The signage touts some of what you'll find in the future store. I had to look up what BHLDN Weddings referred to. Famous quotes that used to adorn the exterior of the bookstore have also been removed in recent days.



22 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Dyer gets elected, will he require a police officer 24/7 at the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda?

Roald said...

I endorse this statement!

Anonymous said...

How many of those upset about B&N closing bought books there on a regular basis or even held a share of their stock?

They failed to evolve, they died a slow death

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile back on planet earth, another Bethesda hotelier is trying to be acquired and crickets from Dyer.

http://www.globest.com/2018/04/16/lasalle-hotel-receives-revised-proposal-from-pebblebrook/?kw=LaSalle%20Hotel%20Receives%20Revised%20Proposal%20From%20Pebblebrook&et=editorial&bu=REM&cn=20180416&src=EMC-Email&pt=Breaking%20News&slreturn=20180316093059

Anonymous said...

No Redwood, No Lebanese Tavera, No Barnes & Noble.
Several key storefronts will be empty this Summer.

Anonymous said...

Soon Bethesda Avenue will look like 14th Street after the riots.

Federal Realty is the new Stokeley Carmichael.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for graffiti when Sears closes. Seriously, Barnes and Noble failed to grow with the times. This wasn't a Bethesda specific issue.

Anonymous said...

I would argue that Barnes & Noble failed to SHRINK with the times. Many of their stores are or were in urban or new-urban districts with rapidly rising rents, and they used far more floor space than they actually needed. Less and less space devoted to books, and that which remained was used very inefficiently - low, widely spaced bookshelves. And the audio-video section was about 2/3 empty by the time they closed.

Maloney Concrete said...

The sign says it all: B&N was a community cornerstone across the board.

Anonymous said...

When was the last time you went there? The last time bought a book there, MC?

Maloney Concrete said...

9:49 AM I have a B&N card. Membership has its rewards!
So, prices were similar or better than Amazon as part of their loyalty program.

Anonymous said...

So when was the last time you went to the store, or bought a book there?

Anonymous said...

Watch a movie instead!

Anonymous said...

10:32 AM Regal Bethesda is closed, so it depends what movie you're thinking of.
For example, blockbusters like Black Panther do not play in downtown Bethesda since Regal closed :(

Anonymous said...

The person who painted the sign spent more on paint than they spent at B&N over the years.

B&N should have halved their footprint, dropped the music section, and increased the kids section. Childrens books sell well (they are tactile) and have a high markup.

Anonymous said...

disgruntled that they lost free wireless....

Anonymous said...

Note that "Maloney Concrete" has declined to answer when he last visited Barnes & Noble, or actually bought anything there (not counting coffee or food at the Starbucks there).

Anonymous said...

I got frustrated with B&N's offering. If they publish the book themselves, it's the only edition they sell. That's a problem, particularly with translated works. For years I've preferred to drive to Politics & Prose.

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to Terrain.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

5:12pm your insane resentment towards Dyer are evident.

Anonymous said...

@ 5:18 PM - 6 minutes this time. How many times do you reload the articles each day, looking for insults for your pony-tailed hero?