January was a long month, but we finally have some good news in 2025: Bookseller Barnes & Noble plans to open at least 60 new stores this year, topping last years record of 57 stores and marking a steady revival of its brick-and-mortar bookstores across the country.[Barnes & Noble] is experiencing strong sales in its existing stores and has been opening many new stores after more than 15 years of declining store numbers, the company told Fast Company. In 2024, Barnes & Noble opened more new bookstores in a single year than it had in the whole decade from 2009 to 2019 . . . [The company] is enjoying a period of tremendous growth as the strategy to hand control of each bookstore to its local booksellers has proven so successful.As Fast Company previously reported, after more than a decade of shuttering locations, ultimately closing 150 locations, the chain started ramping up again in 2023 with some 30 new stores.Some of its newest locations opening this year will be in prime retail locations, such as a new D.C. flagship store in upscale Georgetown.2025 marks a new era for Barnes & Noble and other bookstores thanks to a few factors, including digital fatigue, TikToks #BookTok, the loneliness epidemic, and a rise in so-called third spaces (more on that below).But first, heres a list of the citieswhere Barnes and Noble will be opening new locations in 2025.New Barnes & Noble locations already open in 2025Bellevue, WashingtonTown & Country, TexasNaples, FloridaSuperior, ColoradoBrentwood, CaliforniaBarnes & Noble locations yet to open in 2025Barnes & Noble told Fast Company the chain also currently has 37 signed leases for upcoming stores in the following statesplus a number of other leases in the works (though it did not offer a timeline for when we can expect the new stores):CaliforniaFloridaColoradoTexasWashingtonPennsylvaniaOhioVirginaNew YorkNebraskaMichiganIllinoisConnecticutArizonaNew HampshireMarylandKansasWhy is there a bookstore revival?While it might seem counterintuitive in this age of digital consumption, with people often buried in their phones, bookstores (and books!) are actually making a comeback.One major reason is the rise of TikToks community of avid readers, #BookTok, which has been credited with helping authors sell millions of books, and has evolved into one of the more popular corners of the platform, with creators making videos of book hauls, reviews, and bookcase setups, and swapping recommendations.Since the rise of BookTok during the pandemic, bookstores have seen a significant surge in popularity, especially among young people, Barnes & Noble told Fast Company. Our stores have become popular social spots, offering an experience that online shopping simply cant match.Theres also a recent rise in third places, which are gathering places outside of work and home where people can go to be around other people or meet friends, like coffee shops, bars, and gyms.With loneliness and isolation at an all-time high, people are returning to these third places, including bookstores, because they are free and safe environments stocked with reading material, and often coffee and cold drinkswhich draws in more visitors (this is why many newer bookstores have added a coffee shop or caf to help make the store more inviting).Bookstores also offer a way to be around like-minded people who have similar interests. Thats why, around the country, niche bookstoresromance bookstores, in particularare also booming. In fact, more than 20 have opened in the last few years, up from just two in 2020.One of those new bookstores is Lovestruck Books, which just opened smack in the center of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The delightfully decorated store has more than 12,000 books, in addition to a retail area with candles, tea, stationery, and a George Howell Coffee shop. (Authors note: Yes, I admit that Ive been thereand ended up staying for an hour. I highly recommend finding a bookstore near you!)