The bookstore at the Monroe College campus in New Rochelle, N.Y., operated by Barnes & Noble College, has opened downtown, near the commuter train station, with the "first-ever" Starbucks downtown, according to New Rochelle Talk. The 9,000-square-foot bookstore and coffee shop is at New Roc City at LeCount Place and replaces Monroe College's earlier bookstore. B&N College also manages Monroe College's bookstore on its campus in the Bronx.
"Our expanded new bookstore is a vibrant community space that, in addition to serving our students' textbook needs, offers local residents a place to pick up a bestseller, meet over coffee, and even occasionally enjoy the talents of local artists and performers," said Marc Jerome, executive v-p of Monroe College. "We think it will be a great complement to the city's downtown revitalization efforts, and look forward to the store's official grand opening."
Besides selling traditional academic items, including textbooks, branded apparel and school supplies, the store offers romance novels, health & fitness titles, teen novels, children's books, bestsellers by Mary Higgins Clark, J.K. Rowling, George R.R. Martin and others, New Rochelle Talk reported. Sidelines include board games, puzzles and children's toys. The Royal Fleur performance stage will present live music performances and a weekly "open mic" and karaoke night.