Bookstore Opens 2nd Location In Anne Arundel County

PASADENA, MD — Barnes & Noble opened its second location in Anne Arundel County on Wednesday, continuing the company's nationwide expansion under a new bookselling strategy.

The store spans about 14,000 square feet in the Pasadena Crossroads shopping center, located at 8044 Ritchie Highway. It is neighbored by Five Below.

The county's other Barnes & Noble is in the Annapolis Harbour Center.

"We are always looking for a great place for a bookstore and fortunately we found a great space in Pasadena," a Barnes & Noble spokesperson told Patch in an email.

Baltimore-area author Brigid Kemmerer attended the ribbon-cutting. The New York Times bestselling writer signed copies of her newest book, "The Warrior Princess Assassin."

The company said the store "will feature our new design format, 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."

Barnes & Noble changed how its stores decide what to carry. Stocking decisions used to be corporate, but the company turned that power over to its local booksellers, the employees actually working in the stores.

"The store has been curated by our dedicated booksellers for the Pasadena community," the company said. "In the past everything was dictated from the Home Office so every store regardless of geography, political leanings, city or country store carried the same books, displays, book promotions. Now the individual stores and their booksellers tailor their own book curation for their particular market and customer; also deciding on in store displays, table configuration of books, window displays."

The change has sparked rapid expansion.

"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 business said. "We are experiencing strong sales, opening more than 50 new stores in 2024 and we expect to open over 60 in 2025."

A video of the Pasadena ribbon-cutting is posted here.

Shoppers can learn more at stores.barnesandnoble.com/store/3560.