You know that feeling when you just need to get out of the house, but you don't actually want to do anything? That’s the vibe at the Barnes and Noble White Plains Road Scarsdale NY location. It is tucked into the Vernon Hills Shopping Center, and honestly, if you aren't looking for it, you might miss the entrance because it’s a bit of a basement-level situation.
But once you’re in? It’s huge.
Most people in Westchester have a love-hate relationship with shopping on White Plains Road. The traffic is usually a nightmare, and the parking lot at Vernon Hills can feel like a high-stakes game of Tetris. Yet, we keep going back. Why? Because this specific Barnes & Noble serves as a weirdly essential community hub for Scarsdale, Eastchester, and even folks driving down from White Plains.
The Basement Charm of 680 White Plains Road
It is a little strange. You walk into what looks like a small storefront at 680 White Plains Road, and then you immediately head down an escalator or elevator. It opens up into this massive, sprawling underground library. It’s quiet. The air smells like that specific mix of new paper and Starbucks espresso.
I’ve spent hours there just hiding from the world.
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The layout is classic. You’ve got the new releases right up front, the massive kids' section in the back (which is always chaotic on Saturday mornings), and the Cafe off to the side. Unlike some of the newer, "boutique" style stores the company is opening lately—like the one that recently popped up in Hartsdale—this location still feels like a traditional, big-box bookstore. It has the deep shelves and the weird niche sections where you can find a book on 14th-century plumbing if you really wanted to.
What You’ll Actually Find Inside
People often ask if they still have certain things. Here is the reality of the inventory right now:
- Vinyl Records: They have a surprisingly decent selection. It’s not a boutique record shop, but for new releases, it works.
- The Cafe: Yes, it’s still there. They serve Starbucks products, those giant cheesecake slices from The Cheesecake Factory, and they have free Wi-Fi that is... okay.
- Magazines: This is one of the few places left where you can actually browse a real magazine rack.
- Toys and Games: They’ve dedicated a lot of floor space to LEGO and high-end board games.
Why This Scarsdale Spot Hits Different
There’s a specific demographic here. You’ll see high schoolers from Scarsdale High or Eastchester High huddled over SAT prep books in the cafe. You’ll see parents letting their toddlers run wild in the Thomas the Train section. It’s a mix.
One thing most people get wrong is the address. Even though everyone calls it the Barnes and Noble White Plains Road Scarsdale NY store, it’s technically in the Town of Eastchester. The "Scarsdale" part comes from the post office. It’s a technicality, but local residents will definitely correct you on it if you’re not careful.
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The staff here is actually pretty knowledgeable. I once asked for a book that I only remembered the cover color and a vague plot point about a lighthouse, and the guy in the fiction section found it in three minutes. That’s something an algorithm just isn't great at yet.
The Competition and the Community
With the White Plains City Center location having closed its doors a while back, this store became even more of a destination. While the new Hartsdale location at Dalewood II is "nicer" in a modern way, it doesn't have a cafe. That’s a dealbreaker for a lot of people. If you want to sit down with a latte and a stack of books you might not buy, the Vernon Hills location is your only real option in this immediate corridor.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head over, keep a few things in mind. The parking lot near the Barnes & Noble entrance is usually packed because it’s right near the Starbucks and the grocery store.
Pro Tip: Park further down toward the New York Sports Club side or the back of the lot. Walking an extra 50 feet is better than circling for 20 minutes and getting road rage.
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Also, check their local event calendar. They still do the Saturday morning storytimes for kids, which is a lifesaver for parents on rainy days. They also host local author signings more often than you’d think. It isn't just James Patterson; sometimes it’s a local professor or a chef from a Westchester restaurant.
Essential Information
- Address: 680 White Plains Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583
- Phone: (914) 472-0689
- Hours: Typically 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, but Sunday closes earlier at 8:00 PM.
Making the Most of the Experience
Don't just run in and out. The whole point of a place like this is to linger. Grab a coffee, find a chair (if they aren't all taken by students), and actually look through a book before you buy it.
If you’re a regular, the B&N Rewards program is actually worth it now. They changed it a while ago to have a free tier and a paid "Premium" tier. If you buy more than three or four hardcovers a year, the Premium 10% discount pays for itself pretty quickly. Plus, you get the free shipping for those times you’re too lazy to drive down White Plains Road.
Check out the "Staff Picks" shelves. At this location, they aren't just corporate-mandated titles. The employees write little handwritten notes about why they liked a specific memoir or thriller. It feels human. In a world of AI recommendations, that little piece of cardstock with "This broke my heart" written in Sharpie matters.
Next time you're stuck in traffic near the Vernon Hills Shopping Center, just pull in. Even if you don't need a book, the quiet of the basement level is a solid reset button. Grab a new notebook, a coffee, and pretend it’s 1999 for an hour. It’s good for the soul.
To get the most out of your visit, try going on a Tuesday morning when the new releases drop; it’s the quietest the store will ever be. If you're looking for a specific title, call ahead and they’ll hold it at the front desk for you for three days, saving you the trek through the aisles if you're in a rush.