Barnes & Noble will move into the former Bridgeport Village Borders store
May 17, 2012 (Menafn - The Oregonian - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Book lovers living near Bridgeport Village can sigh in relief. The former Borders location that's sat empty -- save a temporary children's bookstore -- will soon be filled with books again.
Fred Bruning, chief executive of Bridgeport-parent CenterCal Properties, said Barnes & Noble will build one of its two stores of the future at the mall on the border of Tigard and Tualatin. The store, which Bruning said will feature books, merchandise and a great deal of the technology that's been shaping the book industry of late.
Barnes & Noble currently operates eight stores in Oregon, including four in the Portland area.
"I was one of the saddest people to see that Borders go," said Bruning, adding that he goes through as many as three books a week. "But this will be a brand new concept and very fun to see."
Princeton, N.J., is the only other city where Barnes & Noble will attempt one of these new concepts this year, said Bruning, adding that the former Borders store had always been among that now-bankrupt chain's top 10 sales locations nationwide.
Barnes & Noble is expected to open in the first week of November, Bruning said, likely with a celebration that will benefit the Tualatin library.
Another former Borders also is getting some attention.
The long-empty store at Southwest 3rd Avenue and Morrison Street is being spruced up by Ross Dress for Less, according to permits filed with the City of Portland's development office. The discount retailer aims to move from its store a few blocks away on Southwest Fifth Avenue.
The new spot will put Ross closer to apparel stores at Pioneer Place and put some space between its competitor T.J. Maxx, which plans to open its first store in downtown Portland at 615 S.W. Alder St., an underground space currently housing Office Depot.
The discount options appear to be opening up in downtown, where Target will bring its CityTarget concept next year at The Galleria. And, word on the street is that J.C. Penney has been sniffing around at the old Ross location. Of course after yesterday's earnings release, Penney's leaders may have other things on their mind right now.
-- Laura Gunderson
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