Bookstore to close — but not why you think

All over the country, brick-and-mortar bookstores are closing because the industry is increasingly getting its sales online. But this July, a very successful Barnes & Noble store will close in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center for a different reason: the mall owner, Donahue Schriber, a real estate development firm, wants the space for a parking structure.

Deborah Gatto, acting manager of the store, says she had heard the rumor that the store's space will be used for parking. But she said I had to get it from corporate headquarters in New York.

David Deason, vice president for development of Barnes & Noble, said in a statement, "The store is closing this July. The property owner has elected to pursue redevelopment of the area of the shopping center where we are located. We have operated for 20-plus years at this location and unfortunately no longer have lease terms or the ability to extend without the property owner's agreement. We worked diligently to extend the lease and keep the store open, but the owner of the center made the decision not to extend our lease."