The rumors about the Barnes and Noble Sunset location in South Miami have been swirling for years. It’s one of those "end of an era" stories that hits different if you grew up browsing those specific shelves. If you’ve walked through the Shops at Sunset Place lately, you know the vibe is... ghost town. Honestly, it’s a bit eerie.
Most people assume the bookstore is just another victim of the Amazon effect. That's the easy narrative. But the truth about what’s happening with the Barnes and Noble Sunset Place store is a lot more about real estate drama and "foodie meccas" than it is about people stopping reading.
The Real Story Behind the Barnes and Noble Sunset Closure
Here is the deal. The Shops at Sunset Place is basically scheduled for a date with a wrecking ball. The mall has been a "dead mall" walking for a decade. In late 2025 and heading into 2026, the redevelopment plans for the site shifted from "maybe" to "definitely."
The developers want to turn the whole area into a massive mixed-use "urban village." We're talking luxury apartments, high-end offices, and a "foodie mecca" that looks nothing like the neon-lit 90s mall we remember.
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While other Barnes & Noble locations are closing because of bad leases—like the ones in Nanuet, New York, or Pembroke Pines—the Barnes and Noble Sunset situation is tied to the fact that the actual building it sits in might not exist much longer.
It’s weirdly ironic.
Is Barnes & Noble Actually Dying? (Spoiler: No)
You might think that because the Sunset store is in limbo, the whole company is in trouble. Total opposite. Under CEO James Daunt, the chain is actually having a massive glow-up. They opened 67 stores in 2025. They’re planning to open another 60 in 2026.
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The strategy has flipped. They stopped trying to look like a corporate big-box warehouse. Instead, they’re letting local managers pick the books. They call it "decentralization," but basically, it just means the store in Miami shouldn't look exactly like a store in Boise.
They’re even looking at an IPO (going public) in late 2026.
Why the "Sunset" Vibe Matters
The Sunset Place location was special because of its size and that classic multi-level layout. It was a destination. But the new Barnes & Noble strategy favors smaller, cozier "boutique" style shops.
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- Size: Most new stores are 14,000 to 20,000 square feet.
- Vibe: They use "themed nooks" instead of endless straight aisles.
- Focus: They’ve leaned hard into "BookTok" trends and vinyl records.
If the Barnes and Noble Sunset location officially shuts its doors for the redevelopment, don't expect it to stay gone forever. The company has a habit lately of closing a giant, drafty old store and reopening a shiny, curated version just a few blocks away.
What to Do If You’re a Local Reader
If you’re a regular at the Sunset Drive spot, you've probably noticed the "for lease" signs around the mall. It’s depressing, sure. But there are still plenty of ways to get your fix without giving all your money to Jeff Bezos.
- Check the Coral Gables Store: It’s a short drive and usually has a similar community feel.
- The New Miami Locations: B&N just opened a new spot at Colonial Palms Plaza (13605 S Dixie Hwy) which is the new-format style.
- Support the Indies: Book Soup or Books & Books are iconic for a reason.
The drama at Sunset Place isn't over yet. The demolition permits and the "foodie" redevelopment are moving fast in 2026. If you want to see the old Barnes and Noble Sunset one last time in its original, slightly crumbling glory, you should probably go this weekend.
Retail is changing. Malls are dying. But people are still buying physical books—they just want to buy them in a place that doesn't feel like a fluorescent-lit hospital.
To keep track of the specific move-out date for the South Miami crew, follow the local store's Instagram page rather than the national site. The local employees usually post the "last day" news there first because of the lease negotiations. If you’re looking for a new local haunt, prioritize the South Dixie Highway location for that updated "new B&N" experience.