Exciting News for Booklovers

October 12, 2006 - 11:23 PM by Sarah

Welcome news for those of us who desperately miss Barnes & Noble:

Marking a change in strategy from its smaller, walk-in stores, Steimatzky is preparing to open its first cafe-style bookstore in Jerusalem by Pessah next year.

“The new store will be bigger, will have a sit down caf area and will offer DVDs and music, but the main theme will, of course, be books,” said Roee Freibach, newly appointed vice president marketing and sales at Steimatzky.

The store will cover about 750 square meters, compared to the average 60-100 square meter stores the chain currently operates and will be located in the new Mamilla development opposite the Old City’s Jaffa Gate. Freibach said the store’s opening was pending completion of the development, which has been plagued by delays and legal complications. Freibach added that he has been told the section where Steimatzky will be located will be ready by April 2007.

Rather than comparing the new store to the popular Barnes & Noble stores in the US, Freibach said it would be on a smaller scale and more be in the mould of the French chain “Fnac,” which combines the book theme with sales of electronic and music products and gives customers the opportunity to buy coffee and sit in the store viewing the products.

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