Business

Barnes & Noble will open its first location in Woodbridge in January.

The new store will be located at Stonebridge in Potomac Town Center. It will be the New York City-based bookseller's second location in Prince William County.

"We made an extensive study of the local demographics and like the other tenants the center offers - we have been looking for some time in that market and were thrilled to find the right space," said company spokeswoman Amelia Mulinder.

According to Mulinder, the new store will be 11,000 square feet and have all the amenities that have come to be expected from the chain. This includes sales of books, movies, records, and an in-store cafe. The store is expected to hire more than 20 employees.

Barnes & Noble has seen growth over the last few years. The bookseller chain has opened eight new stores across the country in 2021 and plans to open several more in 2022. The new Woodbridge store would be among those recent locations.

According to Mulinder, Barnes & Noble has been experiencing double-digit sales growth this year compared to 2019. Physical book sales have been increasing industry-wide, which has been encouraging to the bookseller chain.

Over the last few years, sales in physical media have been on the rise. This has run contrary to beliefs that the disappearance of physical media would be imminent with the rise of digital media. However, sales numbers have been showing an increased interest in physical media before the coronavirus pandemic. This has translated not just in sales of books but in other media as well.

A September 2020 report by the Recording Industry Association of America found that vinyl records had outsold CDs in the first half of 2020. This is the first time that vinyl records had outsold any other physical music media since the 1980s.

"Our customers love the experience of visiting a bookstore to speak with actual booksellers - something that is not achieved with algorithms - browse and discover their next great read," says Mulinder.

Stonebridge in Potomac Town Center is located at 15101 Potomac Town Place in Woodbridge. The shopping center is anchored by Wegmans grocery store and features several restaurants, specialty stores, and a brewery.

Barnes and Noble also operate a location near Manassas, at 8117 Sudley Road.

Big-box booksellers are no stranger to Woodbridge. 2nd and Charles operates a store at 2904 Prince William Parkway, which opened as Borders books store in the 1990s.

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Neighborhood Notes

At 9:25 p.m. Sunday, November 14, Stafford County Deputy B.M. Taylor responded to Hickory Ridge Drive and Morton Road near Falmouth for a report of a single-vehicle crash.

Upon arrival, deputies located the vehicle overturned on its side. Glass and debris from a trash can struck by the vehicle were scattered all over the roadway. The driver was able to exit the vehicle unharmed.


Neighborhood Notes

During a meeting on Nov. 9, 2021, the Board of County Supervisors agreed to keep seven magisterial districts and invited the public to provide feedback on the draft seven-district map as part of its redistricting efforts.

The public may view the map and provide feedback by visiting www.pwcva.gov/redistricting. The draft seven-district map addresses the growth in the county while adhering to legal redistricting requirements and the Board’s redistricting criteria.


Neighborhood Notes

The Virginia Department of Transportation has scheduled daytime lane closures and brief traffic stops on the Chatham Bridge over the Rappahannock River this week.

Starting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 16, Route 3 Business will be reduced to one travel lane in both directions between Stafford County and Fredericksburg for repairs underneath the bridge.


News

When they take their seats in January, two newly-elected Stafford County School Board members will work to repeal the division’s mask mandate.

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Obituaries

Lindsey Marie (née Taylor) Wright, 38, of Woodbridge, VA, passed away on November 9, 2021.

Lindsey was born in Belleville, IL to Janet (née Schneider) and Steve Taylor on March 19, 1983. She went to high school at Belleville Township High School West and attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She married Erik Wright on June 17, 2011, in Hilton Head, SC. She was a dedicated Army wife and worked as a Homemaker and Children’s Book Consultant. Lindsey had a passion and talent for interior design, was active in Stroller Strong Moms, and enjoyed hiking and camping with her family and pups Nora and Mazie.


Neighborhood Notes

Greetings, Prince William – It’s About a Kid and a Toy!  Volunteer Prince William announces Untrim-a-Tree, our holiday program which provides gifts to thousands of our neighbors in the greater Prince William community.  You can help bring a brighter holiday season to local children and seniors!  Simply sponsor a child – each child receives two gifts, valued at not more than $50-$75 per child.  Donations of Senior Baskets will be given to homebound seniors throughout the community.  Baskets could include card games, crossword puzzles, hand cream, warm socks, lap throws or wraps.  Please call Jan at 571.292.5307 or email [email protected] to request a donor form.

No community within the Prince William area is immune to the havoc and devastation caused by a disaster, whethernatural or manmade.  Volunteer Prince William is recruiting volunteers for Disaster Response positions.  Trained volunteers can fill a critical role in disaster response and alleviate the challenge of spontaneous, untrained volunteers.  Volunteers are needed to help as Reception Center Staff and Public Outreach and Education, which includes educational games such as Disaster Jeopardy and Ready Bingo. Training is provided, and you’ll feel great as you help our local community rebuild following a disaster!  Please contact Claudia at [email protected] to learn how you can get involved.