Barnes & Noble to Serve Beer

As the Digital Age slowly sucks the life from the printed page, Barnes & Noble has begun to look elsewhere for sources of revenue. The company has announced plans to open four “concept” stores that will sell beer, wine and an assortment of “shareable American café-style food."

The first location, slated to open in October, will be in Eastchester, NY, followed by additional stores in Edina, Minnesota; Folsom, California and Loudon, Virginia.

“Since their introduction in the early 1990s, our cafes have always played a central role in creating that warm and welcoming ambience that invites customers to come and spend their leisurely time with us,” said former COO Jamie Carey now president of the company's restaurant group. “This was a central theme for us as we thought about an enhanced Barnes & Noble experience.”

If all goes well, expect to the concept expanded to more of the companies stores down the road.