Barnes & Noble, one of the largest booksellers in the United States, is expanding its physical presence with the opening of multiple new bookstores across the country. As of this year, 28 stores have either opened or are set to open in various states and Washington, D.C. This expansion will bring the total number of Barnes & Noble locations nationwide to over 720. In September, the chain plans to open four new locations in Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; Elk Grove, California; and Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. The Jenkintown store, which opens this Wednesday, marks the return of Barnes & Noble to the town after its previous location closed 14 years ago. Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento, has not had a major bookstore since Borders Books closed in 2011. It is one of eight locations opening in California this year, "reflecting a strong resurgence of the brand's brick-and-mortar footprint," the company said. The revival of physical Barnes & Noble stores comes after many closures in recent years, largely due to competition from online retailers like Amazon, which began as an online bookseller. Despite the challenges, Barnes & Noble remains optimistic about its future. A CBS News poll in June found that 36 percent of Americans are reading fewer books than they did a decade ago, while only 23 percent said they are reading more. However, CEO James Daunt told Axios in July that "the revival is there," indicating confidence in the company’s strategy. The chain has several more locations planned for 2026, including stores in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania; Elk Grove, California; San Antonio, Texas; Orlando, Florida (two locations); Costa Mesa, California; Lexington, Kentucky; Chicago, Illinois (two locations); Stillwater, Oklahoma; Livingston, New Jersey; Casper, Wyoming; Commack, New York; Farmington, Connecticut; Atlanta, Georgia; Oak Park, Illinois; Knightdale, North Carolina; Turlock, California; Prosper, Texas; Aurora, Ohio; Seattle, Washington; Clovis, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Skokie, Illinois; Port St. Lucie, Florida; Strongsville, Ohio; Katy, Texas; and Washington, D.C. These new locations are part of a broader effort to bring back the in-person bookstore experience to communities that have seen a decline in physical retail options.