The latest Natick, Mass., business news:
Barnes & Noble reopens at new location
We popped into the new Barnes & Noble bookstore location in Sherwood Plaza on Rte. 9 east in Natick on its opening day, June 14, and breathed in that new-store smell while browsing the book and gift shelves. The mega-retailer announced late last year that it would move from its long-time Shopper’s World location in Framingham and take over the 18,000 sq. ft. space between the Paper Store and Dick’s (the former Petco location). Within six months, Barnes & Noble opened for business. Amazing how fast things can happen when that old COVID virus doesn’t get in the way.
The store is open 9am-9pm except Sundays, when it is open 10am-7pm.
The selection at the new store is wide and well organized, with A-Z authors, and special sections for everything from Harry Potter to LGBTQ+. In addition to books, you can find vinyl records, office and art supplies, greeting cards, candles, puzzles, wellness journals, chakra cards, diffusers, more. No doubt the place is massive. In an effort to make it seem more homey and less like a warehouse, the very well-lit space is divided into “rooms” while retaining its open floor plan. Sci-fi and fantasy lovers, for example, enter an area set up with walls of books—in front of you and on your left and right. The psychology and personal growth section invites browsers to take a seat in one of two mid-century modern style chairs and thumb through books with titles like The Happiness Trap and I Thought it was Just Me. Kids will enjoy the big wooden train set up with its freight of picture books.
We tried to get a sneak peek at the store before its opening, but you know, corporate. We found the store employees friendly and eager to help on opening day.
We have a few quibbles, however. We attempted to find any signs of Natick at the store, knowing full well this is not really a local book shop complete with ancient dusty tomes, sagging shelves, and a cat. An associate pointed us to a pile of “local author” books, but those were more Boston-focused. A “local communities” shelf proved to be a random selection of Auburn, Hull, and Woburn…no Natick.
We did uncover a copy of the late Natick Rabbi Harold S. Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen to Good People stocked on the bottom shelf of the Personal Growth section. But no sign of books by Natick’s arguably most famous author, Horatio Alger, who in the mid-1800s authored over 300 novels about boys who rose from rags to riches through thrift and industry. His most well-known title: Ragged Dick. Alger spent most of his adult years in New York City, coming back occasionally to visit family. In his final years Alger returned to town in poor health, and died in Natick on July 18, 1899.
David’s Bridal jilting Natick
David’s Bridal warned of mass layoffs in April and filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in four years, as it looks to sell the business.
Now it is closing stores, including the one in Natick’s Sherwood Plaza. The business doesn’t make it easy to find info about the closing on its website. One sign on the storefront refers to “Closing: This location only,” but stores in Danvers and North Dartmouth are also being shuttered as part of the company’s efforts to survive.
Hello kitties
No stop at Sherwood Plaza would be complete without saying hello to the fine kitties at Kitty City at Pet World.
Jesamondo add new manicurist to its rank and file
Sponsored content: Jesamondo welcomes Daysy Benavides as the newest talent to the salon and spa. Daysy brings more than 15 years of experience as a manicurist and reflexologist from Bella Sante, and the Jesamondo team looks forward to working with her. Daysy will be working at the 154 E Central St, Natick location Wednesday-Friday, and select Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-5pm each day. Schedule your appointment online at https://jesamondo.com/ or call 508-907-7171.
