7 Surprising Reasons The Barnes & Noble Smithfield RI Store Is The Blueprint For The Company's Massive Comeback

As of December 15, 2025, the Barnes & Noble store in Smithfield, Rhode Island, stands as a shining example of the bookseller's remarkable national resurgence. After years of store closures, Barnes & Noble has pivoted its strategy, focusing on smaller, localized, and more experiential locations, and the Smithfield branch at The Crossings is a prime illustration of this successful new model. This store isn't just a place to buy books; it has cemented its status as a vital community hub for readers, students, and families across Providence County and beyond.

The Smithfield location, nestled conveniently at 371 Putnam Pike, offers a modern, comfortable, and expansive retail environment that has drawn in a dedicated local following. Its success is a micro-reflection of the company's macro-strategy, which saw Barnes & Noble open more new bookstores in a single year in 2024 than it had in the previous decade, with plans for 60 more new stores in 2025. This focus on physical, local bookstores proves that the love for print media and the in-person browsing experience is alive and well in Rhode Island.

The Barnes & Noble Smithfield, RI: Store Profile and Biography

The Barnes & Noble Smithfield store is more than just a retail outlet; it is a cultural anchor for the local community, meticulously designed to encourage lingering, discovery, and connection. Its profile highlights a commitment to a full-service experience that caters to diverse interests, from academic studies to leisure reading and family entertainment.

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• Location Address: The Crossings at Smithfield, 371 Putnam Pike, Suite 330, Smithfield, RI 02917.
• Geographic Area: Situated in Providence County, Rhode Island, serving the communities of Smithfield, North Smithfield, Lincoln, and surrounding areas.
• Key Retail Center: The store is a major tenant at The Crossings at Smithfield shopping center, providing easy access and ample parking for visitors.
• Store Hours: The store operates with extended hours for the convenience of patrons: Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
• Core Offerings: A vast selection of physical books across every genre, including fiction, non-fiction, young adult, children’s books, and educational materials.
• Ancillary Products: The store features dedicated sections for magazines, gifts, music, movies, toys & games, and the company's popular NOOK ebooks and e-readers.

This comprehensive approach ensures that the Smithfield location functions as a one-stop destination, appealing not only to avid readers but also to shoppers looking for unique gifts and entertainment options. The comfortable setting is a deliberate design choice, inviting customers to settle in and explore the thousands of titles on offer.

The Experiential Advantage: Café, Comfort, and Curated Collections

The secret to the Smithfield Barnes & Noble's success—and the key to the company's national turnaround—lies in its focus on the in-store experience. The location is strategically designed to be a comfortable haven, a third place between home and work where patrons can relax and engage with literature and other media.

The Essential In-Store Café Experience

A cornerstone of the modern Barnes & Noble model is the in-store café, and the Smithfield location is no exception. This feature transforms the bookstore from a retail space into a true destination.

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• The Perfect Pairing: Customers can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a selection of tea while browsing the aisles or settling into one of the store's comfortable seating areas.
• Beyond Beverages: The café typically offers a variety of treats, including pastries, snacks, and seasonal beverages, enhancing the overall experience.
• The Social Hub: The café serves as a natural meeting point, whether for a quick break during a shopping trip to The Crossings at Smithfield or as a casual spot for book club discussions.

This integration of a high-quality coffee shop directly into the bookstore environment significantly increases the amount of time patrons spend in the store, boosting both book sales and overall customer satisfaction. The atmosphere is intentionally cozy, fostering a sense of literary escape.

Curated Collections and Unique Initiatives

Unlike online retailers, the Smithfield store excels in its ability to offer a curated, tangible experience. The layout and selection are often tailored to local interests, providing a depth of book selection that caters to the specific tastes of the Rhode Island community.

The store frequently highlights unique offerings designed to engage customers in unexpected ways. One such initiative that has gained popularity is the "Blind Date with a Book" program. This initiative involves wrapping books in plain paper with only a few tantalizing keywords or a short synopsis written on the cover, encouraging readers to judge a book by its abstract description rather than its cover art or author's name. This playful approach drives curiosity and introduces customers to new genres and authors they might not have otherwise considered.

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Furthermore, the store's dedication to non-book items, such as STEAM/STEM toys, new puzzles, and outdoor toys, ensures that it remains relevant as a family destination.

A Community Hub: Events, Authors, and Local Engagement

The Barnes & Noble in Smithfield has successfully established itself as a vital community gathering place, hosting a diverse calendar of events that appeal to all ages. This focus on local engagement is a critical component of the company's strategy to become indispensable to the neighborhoods it serves.

Fostering Young Readers with Storytime

A consistent draw for families in Providence County is the store's regular programming for children. The Saturday Storytime events are particularly popular, often featuring readings of beloved children's books like The Polar Express or appearances by costume characters such as Splat the Cat.

These events not only entertain but also promote early literacy, making the Smithfield store a key partner for local educational institutions, including the Smithfield Public Schools, which often promote the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program.

Hosting Local and National Author Signings

The store’s ability to attract authors is a testament to its standing within the literary community. These events provide a rare opportunity for local readers to meet writers, attend readings, and have their books signed, creating memorable, personal connections that cannot be replicated online.

Recent events have included signings by authors in various genres, from local New England writers to national figures celebrating a paperback release or a new novel. For instance, the store has hosted figures like Beauregard and Triana, showcasing a commitment to diverse literary tastes, including the often-niche genre of extreme horror literature.

The author events, combined with the comfortable setting and the accessibility of the location at The Crossings at Smithfield, reinforce the store's role as a cultural center. It's a place where the exchange of ideas and the celebration of literature happen in a tangible, exciting way.

The Future of Barnes & Noble in Rhode Island

The Barnes & Noble Smithfield, RI store is a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of the physical bookstore. Its continued success is a direct result of the company’s strategic shift toward localized, experience-driven retail. By prioritizing a vast, curated selection, a comfortable in-store café, and a rich calendar of community events, the Smithfield location has become a model for the future of bookselling.

As Barnes & Noble continues its national expansion—a movement that saw 57 new stores open in the U.S. in 2024 and an ambitious plan for 60 more in 2025—the Smithfield branch remains a crucial part of the company’s revitalized portfolio. For residents of Rhode Island, the store at 371 Putnam Pike is more than a retailer; it is a cherished cultural institution, a cozy haven, and a cornerstone of the local reading community, ensuring that the joy of discovering a new book will continue for years to come.