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Volume XXI • Number 10 • March 6-12, 2014 •
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Barnes & Noble is on its way to Riverdale, will be in new Manhattan College student center By ANDREW WOLF with MONICA HORAN and MAYA ASTABIE A Barnes & Noble Bookstore is coming to Riverdale, opening as soon as next fall. But the catch is that the store will be located on the Manhattan College campus, in the new Ray Kelly Student Commons Building now under construction on Waldo Avenue. It is not clear that the store, which will clearly focus on college textbooks, but is also expected to carry best sellers and popular general interest books, will be accessible to the public at large. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. was noticeably excited by the prospect, as it seems to fit in quite nicely with his economic development agenda. “It’s great to see that Barnes & Noble and Manhattan College are partnering on their new bookstore. It would be even greater if this store we’re able to be open to the public, similar to off-campus stores operated by Columbia University in Manhattan. Be it a bestseller or a Manhattan College t-shirt, Riverdale residents and Bronxites in general would greatly benefit from another bookstore, and I hope that the college gives this idea serious consideration. My office is ready to assist them in this effort should they pursue it in the future,” said the Borough President. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz saw the news as a golden opportunity to bring the college and the Riverdale public at large closer together. “The college is an integral part of our community. It would be even
more wonderful if community residents had access to such the bookstore as well as the students.. Especially since the closing of Paperbacks Plus, many people in Riverdale and Kingsbridge have been yearning for a bookstore, so I would hope if this bookstore becomes a reality that the college opens it up to the community of which they have been a part of for so many years.” These sentiments were echoed by newly-elected City Councilman Andrew Cohen. “It is terrific to see Manhattan College and Barnes & Noble teaming up to open a new bookstore in the Ray Kelly Student Commons on Waldo Avenue. This can be a win-win for the College and the Riverdale community if the store is accessible to the public. It would give residents a new bookstore to shop at and strengthen the relationship between the College and the community. I am willing to work with Manhattan College and Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. to make this a reality,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen. Manhattan College’s current bookstore, operated by the Follett College Bookstore organization is closing its doors, as Barnes & Noble has won the contract and prepares to come to campus as the college’s new bookstore operator in the Kelly Commons, as reported in the Manhattan College student newspaper, the Quadrangle. “Barnes & Noble offered the best direction and vision to serve our campus
The new Student Commons building on the Manhattan College campus will be named for former Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, a Manhattan College alum, and contain a Barnes & Noble bookstore.
This rendering of the interior of the new Student Commons building at Manhattan College pictures the area surrounding the college bookstore, which will be run by Barnes & Noble. community through a vibrant new store design incorporating products, services and technology we believed can best meet the needs of students, faculty and friends of MC,” said Kenneth Waldof, director of business services at the College. During the past week, students took advantage of the clearance sales in the bookstore not knowing the reason behind the sudden discounts. “I saw signs and took advantage of the deals. Nowhere did it indicate that they were closing,” senior Linda Latifaj said. “I had no idea.” Since last semester, different companies have been proposing bids for the contract of MC’s bookstore in the new student commons scheduled to open in the fall of this year. Ultimately in a unanimous decision by the campus store selection committee, Barnes & Noble was chosen. Follett’s contract with Manhattan College had expired, which forced the administration to search for other providers. Follett will leave entirely by spring break and Barnes & Noble will manage the bookstore in Leo for the remainder of the semester until they are able to move into the new building. “It definitely seems like a smart move for the college, [Barnes & Noble] is obviously a well-known company,” Latifaj said. Waldof also addressed the decision to switch providers mid-semester. “This proved to be more efficient for students and faculty versus transitioning
in the midst of the semester start up,” Waldof said. Campus bookstores are far from new territory for Barnes & Noble, as they currently serve over 650 colleges and universities across the nation. They have contracts locally with stores including Fordham, Columbia and Pace universities. “We expect they will bring their knowledge, experience and success from other institutions to help them serve Manhattan College,” Waldof added. Going forward, students can expect a new look and wider range of MC apparel and products to choose from. “A new B&N Manhattan College Campus Store website under the B&N banner will also be introduced,” Waldof said. Barnes & Noble will take returns for students’ rented textbooks under the same terms and their original rental agreements. They will also buy back the new and used textbooks that students purchased from Follett. As for campus employment, Barnes & Noble will hire students as Follett did. “My understanding is B&N welcomes our students who have worked for Follett to apply for positions with them,” Waldof said. Non-student employees who currently work at the Leo bookstore are hired by Follett and will not stay on under the new management. “The Follett management team have opportunities within Follett at other locations,” Waldof concluded.