For avid readers, there's no place like the bookstore. The smell of fresh books. The random recommendations from staff and other readers. Getting lost in a story while standing in an aisle. And going home with way too many books from the Clearance section (I mean, they do it on purpose, putting it in the middle of the floor on the way to the registers... that's how they get you). So its great news to us bibliophiles that the Barnes & Noble in Southland Mall in Portage has re-opened, but they do need their customers to keep a few things in mind when shopping with them.

As will all of the Barnes & Noble locations they have re-openend in Michigan, they would like their patrons to know that they are enhancing cleaning throughout the day, using protective barriers at the registers, and all employees will be required to wear masks and have a temperature check before their shift. They are asking customers to be mindful of keeping at least six feet between employees and other customers, use designated book deposits if you pick up a book but decide not to purchase the item, and use curbside options when available for book pick up or even ordering from the cafe. Between employee efforts and the efforts of patrons, they can maintain a clean and safe environment for all to shop and work.

Slowly, but surely, our state is opening back up. It might not look like it used to, but we're getting there.

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