Barnes & Noble will close its store in the Fresh Meadows neighborhood of Queens, N.Y., in December because the company "could not reach a new lease agreement with the property owner," the Daily News reported. B&N still operates two stores in Queens, in Forest Hills and Bay Terrace.
"We had discussions with the property owner to try to structure a lease extension but were not able to come to an agreement," said David Deason, B&N v-p of development. The store opened 10 years ago.
"It's a big blow to the community," said Jim Gallagher, president of the Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association. "I wish they would find another location in Fresh Meadows."
Only last week, B&N announced it had to close its store in the Bronx for similar reasons. But after community protests and the intercession of Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr., the landlord agreed to extend B&N's lease for two years with no increase in rent.