The Barnes & Noble store in Merced, Calif., will remain open for now, despite last month's announcement of a January closure. The Sun-Star reported that officials from B&N and Decron Properties, the building's management company, expect to agree on a month-to-month lease at a lower rent for the 21,714-square-foot building.
"It gives them some chance to see if they can't modify how their business is run," said John Love, the director of commercial properties for Decron. "It gives us an active tenant in the center and, if they can't make a go of it, gives an opportunity to find a more permanent replacement tenant while they stay in business." He anticipated the deal would extend "at least for six months, and possibly longer."
David Deason, B&N v-p of development, noted that communication had broken down between the two companies prior to the closure announcement, but negotiations have been productive since then.
"I just don't know why it hadn't been responded to previously," he said. "I'm not challenged or angry in any way; it was just unfortunate." Deason added that the company remains focused on keeping the store open and "we're hopeful we can do that."
A "Say NO to closing Barnes & Noble in Merced" Facebook page launched October 20 by Jacob Rafati Heravi has garnered more than 3,000 "likes," the Sun-Star wrote. "When you are closing a bookstore, you are closing culture," he said. "We have some more time to think about it. Maybe we can do something."
