Barnes & Noble sets opening date for Congressional Plaza store in Rockville

Books arriving on shelves

at relocating store

Last week the Nook e-readers arrived at the new Barnes & Noble at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. This weekend, books began being put on the shelves. The Starbucks BN Cafe is ready, and now I have the opening date for the store: Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Barnes & Noble is relocating here from Montrose Crossing down the Pike.

BN Cafe completed, Nook readers arrive at Barnes & Noble at Congressional Plaza

The Starbucks BN Cafe at the future Barnes & Noble bookstore at Congressional Plaza is complete, minus potential wall artwork. It's sure to stir cafe-envy in Bethesda residents stuck with the small and cafe-less Amazon Books as replacement for the shuttered Barnes & Noble at Bethesda Row.

First to hit the shelves at this relocating Rockville location? Nook e-readers. I'll take a hard copy book over one of those any day of the week, though.

Congressional Plaza Barnes & Noble store to have Starbucks

Despite a major downsizing from their current Rockville location, the new Barnes & Noble store at Congressional Plaza will have a Starbucks B&N cafe. There's already furniture in the cafe, and shelving, tables and displays continue to be installed on the main sales floor. Also new, is a sign promoting the store at the entrance of the property.

Bookshelves being installed at Barnes & Noble at Congressional Plaza in Rockville

If you're a book lover, you've got to love this. Bookshelves are now being installed at the future Barnes & Noble opening later this year at Congressional Plaza in Rockville. Their current Montrose Crossing location will remain open until then.

Barnes & Noble installs sign at Congressional Plaza in Rockville

The permanent sign is up at Barnes & Noble's future Congressional Plaza location on Rockville Pike. They'll be moving up the Pike from Montrose Crossing later this year. There's still a long way to go on the interior construction of the new bookstore, but the new canopy and exterior look finished when you look up from the sidewalk.

Congressional Plaza construction update (Photos)

Construction continues on the future Barnes & Noble bookstore and FITRow section at Congressional Plaza. As you can see, much more has been done outside than inside at the Barnes & Noble. The opposite is true inside FITRow. Some branding signage has been installed and work is well underway building what will be three new fitness studios by three different chains.