You’ve probably seen the construction crews and the "reimagined" signs around Hawthorn Mall lately. It’s a lot. Honestly, if you grew up going to the old Barnes and Noble Vernon Hills IL location, you might feel a bit disoriented. The original 1970s-era footprint of the mall is basically being gutted and rebuilt into something called Hawthorn 2.0.
For a minute there, people were genuinely worried that the bookstore was just... gone. But that's not how it played out.
Instead of disappearing, the store moved over to Mellody Farm. It’s right there at 901 N Milwaukee Ave, Suite #500. It’s smaller than those massive multi-story warehouses we all remember from the early 2000s, but it’s part of a huge national shift. James Daunt, the CEO who famously saved Waterstones in the UK before taking over B&N, has been pushing this "boutique" feel.
They’re actually opening 60 new stores across the country in 2026. That is wild if you remember the "bookstores are dead" headlines from ten years ago.
Why the Mellody Farm Location Hits Different
The Vernon Hills store is a prime example of the new B&N philosophy. No more corporate-mandated "endcaps" that look the same in Illinois as they do in Florida.
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Basically, the booksellers who work at the Vernon Hills branch actually get to pick what goes on the shelves. If the local community is obsessed with Colleen Hoover or niche Japanese manga, you’ll see more of that. It feels less like a library annex and more like a curated shop.
The hours are pretty standard for the area:
- Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
You can still grab a coffee, too. The B&N Café is still a thing, though it’s tucked into a more modern layout. They’re serving the usual Starbucks-branded roasts, but the food menu has actually gotten better. Think Tomato Caprese sandwiches (around 640 calories, if you care) and surprisingly decent Four Cheese Grilled Cheese. It’s the kind of place where you see people actually reading books they haven't bought yet, which is a vibe we should probably protect at all costs.
The Hawthorn 2.0 Drama
So, what happened to the old space?
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The $252 million redevelopment of Hawthorn Mall is the reason the bookstore moved. The old B&N space—about 5,600 square feet of it—was specifically marked for removal to make way for new outward-facing retail and landscaped plazas. The mall is trying to become a "live-work-play" destination. They’ve added hundreds of luxury apartments like The Domaine, which are already 95% leased.
The village board in Vernon Hills recently approved the latest phase of this transformation. They’re adding a "paseo" (a fancy word for a covered walkway) and even more ground-level retail.
It sucks to lose the nostalgia of the old store. I get it. But the new spot at Mellody Farm is actually easier to get into if you’re just running in for a birthday gift or a new release.
What You’ll Find Inside Right Now
If you haven't been in lately, the layout might surprise you. It’s organized by "rooms" rather than just endless rows of tall shelves.
- The Kids’ Section: Still the heartbeat of the store. They have a massive Lego selection and those educational toys that make you feel like a better parent for buying them.
- The Vinyl Corner: Yes, they are leaning hard into the record revival. You’ll find Taylor Swift variants alongside classic rock reissues.
- The Manga/Graphic Novel Wall: This has tripled in size over the last few years. It's clearly where the foot traffic is.
Is it worth the trip?
If you're looking for the massive, cavernous bookstore where you can hide in a corner for four hours without seeing another human, this isn't quite that. It’s brighter. It’s more "Instagrammable."
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But the staff actually knows their stuff.
I’ve found that if you ask for a recommendation at the Vernon Hills location, you get a real answer, not just a pointer toward the bestseller wall. That’s the "local bookseller" strategy Daunt keeps talking about in his press releases. It seems to be working.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
Don't just wander in. If you want to make the most of the Barnes and Noble Vernon Hills IL experience, keep these things in mind:
- Check the App First: Their "In-Store Pickup" is actually reliable now. If you need a book today and don't want to risk it being out of stock, reserve it on the app. You can usually pick it up in an hour.
- The Rewards Program: They have two tiers now. The free one gives you stamps (10 stamps = $5 credit), but the $35/year Premium Membership gives you 10% off everything and free shipping. If you buy more than one hardcover a month, the math actually checks out.
- Parking Hack: Mellody Farm can get congested near the Whole Foods. Park closer to the north end near the bookstore entrance to avoid the "soccer-mom-in-a-Suburban" gridlock.
- Cafe Timing: If you want a seat in the cafe to actually work or read, avoid the 3:30 PM rush when the local schools let out. It becomes a middle-school hangout spot very quickly.
The bookstore isn't dying; it's just evolving. The Vernon Hills location is proof that even in a world of next-day delivery, we still want to touch paper and smell coffee.
Check the local store calendar on their website before you go. They’ve started bringing back more "Storytime" events for toddlers and the occasional local author signing, which usually happens on Saturday mornings.
Go grab a physical book. Your eyes probably need a break from the screen anyway.