Barnes & Noble Booksellers

Mostly tolerable when parents don’t bring their demon-​possessed children and when teenagers aren’t loitering in their little giggle cliques. As a rule, businesses attached to malls get all kinds of riffraff, but the store associates will kindly remind certain Edison customers not to prop their bare feet up on the windowsills while reading.
At least once a year, the escalators randomly change directions, and on occasion stop working altogether. As of late, the layout of the second floor has been prone to shifting, perhaps to accommodate the growing selection of children’s toys.
The in-​store Starbucks café is likely the only reason this location is still in business, but it’s operated by Barnes & Noble rather than by Starbucks, so don’t expect to be able to use Starbucks gift cards or earn/​redeem Starbucks Rewards™ here. And unlike standalone Starbucks, the tables are uncomfortably small and flimsy. Still, if you are endeared by the endangered establishment of the brick-​and-​mortar bookstore, buying a cup of joe may be the simplest way to keep this B&N from going under.

Barnes & Noble is staying afloat, despite so many retailers shutting their doors for an online approach to sales, or worse; to close for good. This particular location is my favorite B&N in the tri-​state area for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it’s massive and open, but never too crowded to the point of being an issue. Secondly, the prices are actually competitive and their ever changing Bargain Section is heaven for me. I find books that I didn’t know I needed. I’ve bought books in these sections 5 – 7 years ago that I still like to open from time to time, especially so for their nonfiction and coffee table books. They also have board games, toys and other cool trinkets to browse. A visit here is never boring. I only wish it was closer to me.
Overall, very pleasant bookstore, with a little café on the side.

Went there to pick out a book!!! The service was pretty good!!! Was asked to join their book club and may do so on a future date!!!

Big and spacious! With two levels, I enjoyed browsing on the second floor, where there are tables and chairs spread throughout. The café area is sizeable and comfortable, but it usually crowded, every table occupied. So I don’t even bother lingering or trying to find a space. I meander around on foot or grab some magazines and sit somewhere upstairs on the floor. The seats and tables up there are also occupied. Maybe I come during bad times, like the weekends or during Finals season. I imagine it would be a lot better during the weekday/​early afternoons, and with Wifi and Starbucks, you can waste a lot of time here. And then grab a takeout meal from Cheesecake Factory right next door.
I don’t usually buy any of their books or other items though because it’s pricey and honestly I can find better. However, when things are on sale, sometimes you can find a gem on fiction novels, cooking and baking books, as well as stuffed animals and toys (especially around the holidays).
Parking can be tough because it’s attached to the mall. So might not find a close space. Be prepared to walk a bit.

If I can give it a Zero. I would. someone that work there call the cop on a black guy who was sitting down n mind his business. they told him the place was reserve for someone else. never heard that before.

I love coming here to browse, buy, and study in the café. They have a much bigger selection than the one closest to me. Although I’d still like to see them carry a wider range of items, or books on ultra specific topics, I know it’s simply not feasible in this day. Also, while I appreciate their employees offering me a B&N membership, I don’t appreciate being given an awkward attitude when I decline it 4 times in a row in the same 60 second conversation. He literally just stared at me for a solid five seconds, and I’m like «sooo…, are we going to wrap this up?» and he then proceeded to lecture me on why I was making a poor decision… a definite wtf moment. Anyway, every and any other time I’ve been here I have had nothing but positive experiences!

Bring paperback!
Love being here! This place is like my
Type of children’s play, I love the books, options and most of all the free wifi at Starbucks. Very decent size store. You can find pretty much every book.
The only downfall is the parking, unless you are willing to walk then you are ok (bad idea in cold weather).
In case you get lost, it’s next to Cheesecake Factory.

Not a bad place to go. Lots of foot traffic but because of the space you would really know. The only complaint I have is the seating for the café. There just isn’t enough places to sit and enjoy your coffee and you new book or magazine. I saw some people sitting on the floor reading and drinking. That is just wrong and poor planning. A customer should not have to sit on the floor to enjoy the atmosphere. That is why its a 2 star.

Tonight was my second visit as of late. Last was during the afternoon about a month ago. I’m writing this review because on both occasions I used the restroom. I should clarify tried to use it. The bathrooms are never clean and are fill of trash on the floor. I understand things can happen but seriously maintain your establishment to a higher standard. Books are a dying breed in a digital download age. Making the choice easier every time. Besides paying yearly for a membership that I rarely use anymore.

Great place for killing time. The upper level has lots of chairs so you can sit back, relax and grab a book to read. The shelves are usually clean and organized but I have noticed sometimes on busy weekends, by the end of the day the popular sections tend to become unruly.
The lower level has a Starbucks with lots of seating right next to the magazine racks which I think is just perfect. I usually get myself a frapp, grab a table by the window and switch between perusing a copy of Vogue and people watching. This place is great for study groups too. But grab a seat early in the day because they fill up fast.
A lovely feature I just discovered recently is their reservation option. I recently needed to buy a street map for Montréal (yes maps are still sold even though this is the age of GPS). You can go to their site and reserve a book for pick up at your local Barnes and Nobles, they’ll send you a text/​email when it’s ready and you have up to 3 days to pick it up. Love it! I’m pretty lazy and this feature is great for me cause I can just dash in and dash out because someone has done the work of looking for the item for me.
Highly recommend this branch, it’s big, with a wide selection of books available.

A nice, 2-​story store that has a nice assortment of books, magazines, «hobby”-related items, and more. Whenever I go to Menlo Park Mall, I always stop here to see what’s available, and what’s on sale. The sales people are friendly. They also have a café that sells Starbucks items and provides free WIFI to customers and visitors.
It would be nice if they add more sales to a lot of their books, as most of them are sold at regular retail.
Still, it’s always worth coming back to look around!

Most friendly staff. I love to go there

Wow, a massive two story brick and morter book store! Crazy! It’s like finding a dinosaur in the middle of NJ.
I’d already spent my personal allotment of time in the mall– I mean how much time should anyone spend it these megolithic monstronsities of expenditure– so I almost didn’t walk into B&N. Glad I did.
I picked up a few books and magazines that I didn’t need, taken in by the simple pleasure of holding the actual item itself in my hand to flip the pages while perusing the labyrinthine stacks and stepping over various readers squirreled away in pockets of the store.

I love this Barnes & Nobles. The staff is friendly and helpful. Even though most chairs are taking in the downstairs room, you can always take the escalators up and grab a seat that is facing the outside (not much of a view) but it’s quiet, which is what most readers ask for.

Books, magazines, board games, and even a Star Bucks this bookstore has it all.
It stands as a two store monolith of knowledge in the front of Menlo Park Mall. Forget about parking in front, because they have to compete with the Cheese Cake Factory. Park in the back of the Mall and walk though. As with all Barnes and Noble they can be a bit pricey.

Wow — I never thought I would be writing a positive review about a Chain Store…
I had to call the Edison, NJ Barnes and Noble store in the Menlo Park Mall with questions about the Nook HD+ and I was treated with warm and friendly customer service. I would have thought it was 20 plus years ago if I wasn’t using a cell phone at the time.
When I arrived, I dealt with not one but two people in the store who raised the bar for my expectations of retail customer service. Helpful, Knowledgeable and Friendly; you know all the marketing buzz words every company tries to make you believe you are going to experience if you visit their store. Well surprise it actually exists. And of all places a retail giant, attached to a mall, where they sell expensive coffee and items one could probably find online for buck or two less.
In an age where retail customer service is usually a ‘kid’ who doesn’t know the answer to your question and often doesn’t care enough to find out, it was a nice surprise to find people who actually care.
Five Stars? You surprised me… Thank you!

Sometimes we forget how enjoyable it is to hold a physical book, turn its pages and read.
Recently, I spent a whole day reading at this location. Two whole levels of reading pleasure. I bought a book, a coffee at the Starbucks, sat in the lounge for a while — sipping on my coffee, reading and people watching. It was GREAT. The upper level has lots of chairs facing the parking lot (lol). And it’s perfect to just cozy up with a book here. I was surprised at how crowded this section was. People still read books, yayy!
Overall, I liked this location of B&N. Prices are comparable to ebooks + they have great specials on some older books. They even have beautifully painted, special editions of some classics — I bought One Hundred Years of Solitude & it was so gorgeous, I just kept staring at it for a while. I know this book will find a proud place on my bookshelf. There was only one cashier at the counter, so service was a bit slow, but when you have the whole day to spare, who cares, right? :)

Isn’t it cool to sip your mocha, enjoy the yummy pastry ’ browse your favorite site, and also take down notes from that ‘only paperback’ Maui Revealed’ for your much awaited vacation… Doing it all at the same time. Well you gotta check the Starbucks at Barnes and Noble. it has it all. Just love spending time here.

Lacked climate control. Not enough seats.
I appreciate the fact that there are two entrances, one front and one back. However, this makes it so that more heat escapes and therefore the room temperature fluctuates at times, making it feel colder at inappropriate times.
Not enough seats. You will be waiting a fairly long time for a table and seat. Sometimes there are interviews going on so that may be annoying.
I understand that this may come out as unfair since they’re different management but the starbucks service was relatively slow.
Also, this place sometimes has teenagers coming in (Age 14 – 17) who can sometimes be annoying and rude (loud) to other guests.
Book selection is great but there needs to be a bigger area for tables and seats.
The upstairs needs more chairs.
Edited for clarity.

I have visited this b&n when in the area since it first opened. As far as set up, they did a good job. There is ample space whether to read or drink at thier café. The upstairs setup is done well also.
There is a parking lot right in front but it will take a few mins regardless bc it’s directly next to cheesecake factory and attached to the mall.
The only downside about this b&n is the service. It’s slightly lacking in comparison to other b&n stores.
So go if you know what you want, will need no assistance, n expect the bare minimum. With that in mind, then this one is good.
this is based on my visits there the last few years, and it’s a solid 2 stars after my last visit. who knew trying t buy a nookcolor would be pulling teeth when there was only one other person slightly interested there. hello, i’m trying to tell you i want to buy it! can anyone help me! and btw, the person they were persuading to try to buy it will probably have to think about it … and if it took any longer i would have to think about buying it and get a kindle or ipad instead.