Barnes & Noble at Virginia Commonwealth University

Visiting K at VCU and needed a warm place to wait while she was getting out of her dorm.
There is a Starbucks inside. I like the comfy chairs around the store. Employees are sweet and helpful. They have tons of VCU gear in here. Restrooms are located near the Starbucks. Prices are a bit steep but I think it’s still nice to have a Barnes and Noble in your campus. It’s convenient.

Best place for VCU merchandise and general reading books.
The textbooks are always over priced for buying (try Bookholders or VA Book Company) but good for reselling. Their art supply department is decent if Plaza is closed and they have a good electronic and school supply section.
In general the prices are not good but the service and selection are always great.

I’ve come here many times, and as someone who worked in the book wholesale and retail industry for many years, I’m underwhelmed by this B&N (and B&N in general, honestly).
I’ve come here several times, though really for only two reasons: required textbooks that I can’t get anywhere else or VCU pararphernalia that isn’t available other places. Granted, I know it’s hard for a brick-​and-​mortar store to compete with online powerhouses like Amazon, though the prices here are definitely gouge-​y in nature. A quick perusal of their textbooks will show you that their prices are 25−40% higher than other online stores’ new copies, not to mention used copies (and don’t get me started on used B&N copies, complete waste of money). When you price things this way for students who are already hurting for money, don’t be surprised to see your sales drop when people pirate the digital copies online. Not advocating for it, just saying.
Well, as many students have experienced, sometimes B&N is the ONLY place to get a needed textbook, so it’s unavoidable. You can try to time it brilliantly all you want, though you won’t be able to avoid long lines and confused employees despite your best efforts if you are doing it at the beginning of the semester. I always check Virginia Book Company first, partly because I like supporting small businesses, though also because they do a darn good job of getting people in, getting them their stuff, and getting them out. Say what you want about assembly lines but they work!
I have tried multiple times to get a particular VCU item at this store (a specific school’s bumper sticker, which they’ve had before so I know I’m not being unreasonable here), and each time they tell me «nope, we’ll definitely have it by the end of the week, though». I have fallen for this three times already, and that’s two times too many. Granted, it’s not too far of a walk here (location is pretty convenient), though if I come in with ready money and you consistently don’t have what I need, I’m going to stop trying eventually.
Forget that bumper sticker, Keegan. It’s B&N town.
Overall: 2.5 stars
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Pros:
–Convenient to campus and drivers (though you’ll pay if you opt to park).
–Store has an appealing appearance and is nicely quiet, as a book store ought to be.
–Staff members are pleasant, attentive, and courteous, if not always knowledgable.
Cons:
–Finding what you want is an exercise in futility.
–If/​when you do find it, it will be far more than you expected/​ought to pay for it.
–When they say they will have something at the end of the week, they actually mean they will likely never have it. It’s that 1984 doublespeak stuff, you’ll come to expect it.
–If you’re a student, YOU WILL eventually have to come here. My heart goes out to you.

I occasionally go to Barnes & Nobel at Virginia Commonwealth University for books and coffee (Starbucks inside). Barnes & Nobel usually stays busy because most students go here for different class items. Also, some sections are for studying. This location sells all VCU merchandise (ties, socks, mugs, shorts, stickers, etc). The apparel section is huge. Some of the prices are on the high side because VCU brand is very popular in Richmond. Parking can be a hassle depending on the day and time. Barnes & Noble at Virginia Commonwealth University is a great choice for merchandise.

The people here are always friendly, and I love the endcaps with clearance prices on the candy. But I’ll still never get over that they stopped making the only drink I enjoy at Starbucks. (I don’t drink coffee, so I always go with the Vanilla Bean Frap-​something or other. I can’t speak like the people at Starbucks. I understand… it was about economics. But since it’s the only drink I ever have there besides water, I have not been back to the B&N Starbucks in two or three years).

If you work at VCU and have a reusable coffee mug, this is the best place to get coffee in the morning. The staff are super friendly, and the coffee is priced great. It’s nice to go to a Starbucks that supports reusable mugs by actually offering a discount.
Also always happy to indulge in a day-​old cookie or pastry. Makes a day of dealing with students so much more enjoyable.

I feel old writing this since I was still around when the bookstore was eFollet! Under B&N, the layout is close to a regular B&N store + VCU merch. I love how there’s plenty of tables by the window to study and it’s fairly quiet at the bookstore on the weekends. There’s good wifi thanks to VCU and food is close by since there’s a quiznos inside. If you’re not in the mood for studying, there’s a good mix of books, the best sellers & local authors, to tickle your fancy. The place is also good if you have an emergent need for office supplies since it carries everything from composition books to printer ink. You can try to use your B&N discount card if you have some, but it’ll only work on books, not VCU merch. You know they want you to pay top dollar for that!

This place has a huge selection of really quality VCU merchandise. It’s pretty expensive, but it’s the perfect place for gifts. If you want VCU apparel or gifts, this is a great place to go.

Yes, I bought my books here when I was a student, but this last visit was strictly for proud VCU alum paraphernalia. Great selection — t-​shirts, sweat shirts, decals, pennants, mugs, pom pons — but really expensive (clothing). Even the clearance merchandise is expensive.
But you buy it nevertheless. Because you’re a Ram.

Barnes and Noble at VCU is a great store to shop for VCU gear for gameday and in general, although their stuff is pretty pricy, including textbooks. The only thing I don’t like is they say that they will respond to me by email when my textbook that was on backorder came in, i didnt receive one in 2 weeks so i went there to see if it came in and it did, so good store, great aparel, dont expect them to respond or send anything back to you saying something has come in though