I'm happy B&N is making a comeback of sorts. Though, while they're opening 30 stores, there was an aside (in other article) that they will be "opening more than they close in 2023" — so I'm guessing some of the really big (half empty) stores will be going away.
https://bookriot.com/barnes-noble-op...tores-in-2023/
The writer of the article isn't as old as I am. I remember when Barnes & Noble came in and displaced B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, Pickwick and the local (downtown) independent book stores. So, although I enjoyed going to B&N in their heyday, I'm not quite as nostalgic as the writer.
One of my favorite book hangouts (for a while) was Hastings, a regional book/music/video store that went out of business a few years back.
Since I was often there till closing time I remember their friendly way of letting you know they were going to close. Completely unlike the snarky "We're closing in 10 minutes, get the hell out of here" announcements you'll find in many retail stores now (like Walmart).
Here's the actual closing music (with announcements)...
https://soundcloud.com/hastingsalumn...stings-closing