New Barnes & Noble cafes will serve alcohol

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Barnes & Noble is getting ready to go beyond books, music, and coffee. It will open so-called concept stores that will feature restaurants serving an expanded food menu and booze, according to CEO Ron Boire.

The first concept store is coming to Eastchester in Westchester County, New York, in October 2016. The sit-down cafe will serve beer and wine in addition to food. The cafe will be about double the size of the typical B&N cafe.

The company plans to open three more concept stores that serve food and alcohol in Minnesota, California, and Virginia.

The company promoted Jaime Carey, currently the chief operating officer, to the new position of president of development and restaurant group. He will oversee real estate development and the coming restaurant concept stores.

Barnes & Noble, which owns 640 bookstores nationwide but has closed several in New York City, recently said total sales fell in its most recent quarter, the AP reported.