If you’ve lived in Ithaca long enough, you know the South Meadow Street corridor is basically a gauntlet of errands. You’ve got the Wegmans chaos on one side and the Target run on the other. But tucked into the Tops Plaza is the Barnes and Noble Ithaca location, a store that feels like a weirdly calm anchor in a very busy part of town.
It’s interesting. In a town famous for its "Gorges" and its fiercely independent spirit—hello, Buffalo Street Books and Odyssey—a massive corporate chain like Barnes & Noble shouldn't really work. But it does. Honestly, it’s one of the few places in the 14850 zip code where you can actually find a massive, weirdly specific manga section right next to a Lego display and a Starbucks cafe that doesn't feel like it's rushing you out the door.
The Vibe at 614 South Meadow
The Ithaca store isn't one of those new, tiny "boutique" models the company has been experimenting with lately in places like Chicago or DC. It’s a classic. Large. Sprawling. It’s got that specific "bookstore smell" that’s probably just a mix of paper dust and toasted paninis from the cafe.
You’ll see a pretty wild mix of people here. On any given Tuesday morning, it’s a haven for local parents during the Weekly Children’s Storytime, which is a staple for the toddler crowd. By the afternoon, the demographic shifts. You get Cornell and Ithaca College students nursing a single cold brew for three hours while they highlight textbooks. Then the evening crowd rolls in—people just looking to browse the "New Releases" shelf before grabbing groceries next door.
What Actually Keeps the Doors Open?
Let’s be real: people buy books on Amazon. So why drive to the Meadow Street plaza?
- The "I Need it Now" Factor. If you need a birthday gift for a ten-year-old and you have forty-five minutes before the party, this is the only spot in town with a legitimate toy and game section that isn't just "educational wooden blocks."
- The Magazine Rack. Seriously. Where else in Tompkins County can you find International Affairs, Vogue Italia, and some obscure woodworking journal in the same place?
- Physical Discovery. There is something about the "Staff Picks" wall in the Ithaca branch that feels a bit more "Ithaca" than other locations. Because the corporate office shifted more power to local store managers under CEO James Daunt, the shelves here actually reflect what local readers want—lots of nature writing, social justice titles, and high-end fiction.
Barnes and Noble Ithaca vs. The Indies
There’s always been this sort of unspoken tension between the "Big Box" store and the local icons. If you’re looking for a community-owned cooperative experience, you go to Buffalo Street Books. If you want a curated, intimate shop where the owner knows your name, you hit Odyssey Bookstore downtown.
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But Barnes & Noble occupies a different space. It’s the "Third Place" where nobody cares if you stay for two hours and don't buy anything. It provides a level of anonymity that a small shop doesn't. Sometimes you just want to browse the Self-Help or True Crime section without feeling like someone is watching your every move.
Pro Tip: If you're looking for used books or vinyl, remember that Autumn Leaves is just a few minutes away on the Commons. Ithaca is one of the few places where a giant like B&N can coexist with three or four thriving independent shops because the city simply reads that much.
Events and the Famous Cafe
The cafe is a Starbucks, but it's technically a "Barnes & Noble Café" (yes, there’s a difference in how the rewards work). It’s the unofficial office for half of Ithaca’s freelance population.
As for events, the Ithaca location is a frequent stop for the B&N Monthly Book Club. While major celebrity signings usually head to the Union Square flagship in NYC, the Ithaca store does a solid job of hosting local authors and regional historians. It's worth checking their specific store calendar because they often run LEGO build events or Harry Potter-themed nights that are surprisingly well-attended.
Dealing with the South Meadow Traffic
If you’re planning a trip, here’s the truth: getting into that plaza can be a nightmare during peak hours. If you’re coming from the Cornell side of town, try to avoid the 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM rush. The intersection of Meadow and Clinton is notorious for a reason.
Address: 614 South Meadow, Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 273-6784
Store Hours (Typically):
- Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
If you’re a regular, the B&N Premium Membership ($39.99/year) is usually worth it if you spend more than $400 a year there. You get 10% off almost everything and free shipping on the website. But if you're an occasional browser, just sign up for the free "Rewards" program. You get "stamps" for every $10 spent, and eventually, those turn into $5 rewards. It’s basically a digital punch card.
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Don't forget to check the Bargain Section. It's usually located near the back or in the center aisle. You can often find $30 coffee table books or hardcover classics for $7 to $10. It’s the best-kept secret for people who want to look well-read on a budget.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check Availability: Before you drive down, use the "Pick Up In Store" feature on the B&N website. It’ll tell you exactly how many copies of a book are on the shelf in Ithaca so you don't waste a trip.
- Storytime Prep: If you’re bringing kids for the Saturday storytime (usually at 11:00 AM), get there fifteen minutes early. The seating area fills up fast, and trying to manage a stroller in the narrow aisles once the crowd starts is tough.
- Park Strategically: Park closer to the Five Below or the PetSmart end of the plaza. It’s easier to get out of the lot from that side than it is to navigate the chaos directly in front of the Tops entrance.
The Barnes and Noble Ithaca location isn't just a retail store; it's a social hub for a city that lives and breathes literature. Whether you're there for the latest Colleen Hoover or a deep dive into local Finger Lakes history, it remains a vital part of the Ithaca shopping landscape.