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Barnes & Noble to close Arlington Heights store May 28

After 16 years, the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Arlington Heights is closing, officials confirmed Monday.

The store, located at 13 W. Rand Road in The Annex of Arlington Shopping Center, will shut its doors Saturday, May 28, according to store manager Aubreey Medrano.

Medrano said she hasn't been told by corporate officials the reason for the store's closing.

She said the Arlington Heights store is the only one in the area that will close. Other nearby Barnes & Noble locations include Deer Park Town Center and Woodfield Plaza Shopping Center in Schaumburg.

The store's closing comes with Barnes & Noble's lease for the 24,000-square-foot space expiring in June, company officials said in a statement.

“We enjoyed serving our customers there and invite them to visit one of the many nearby Barnes & Noble locations for the same great service and selection,” said David Deason, the company's vice president of development, in the statement.

Brixmor Property Group, which leases out stores at The Annex shopping center, already has a new retailer lined up to take over at least part of the Barnes & Noble space, according to Michael Mertes, Arlington Heights' business development coordinator.

Mertes didn't reveal which retailer plans to open, but said it would be “relatively soon” after Barnes & Noble closes.

“They do have somebody in hand. That's good, so the space will not just be sitting vacant,” Mertes said.

Employees at the Arlington Heights store have been informed of the impending closure, Medrano said.

She said she's only heard rumors of what might replace Barnes & Noble in the shopping center, but hasn't been told officially.

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