Barnes & Noble will remain the campus bookstore and will be greatly expanded in the newly renovated Busch Memorial Center.

“The decision has been made to pursue our continued relationship with Barnes & Noble,” said Kathy Humphrey, vice president for Student Development.

While negotiations are still underway, an agreement has been made to maintain the Barnes & Noble chain on campus. Two other companies had discussions with the University about the bookstore space, but Barnes & Noble fit better with the University, Humphrey said.

In the mid-1990s, the bookstore was relocated from the BMC to Wuller Hall to provide a more-centralized location. The BMC then lost much of its retail traffic.

“We feel by relocating back to the BMC, we will continue to enhance and strengthen our commitment to the campus community,” said Darlene Ciborowski, store manager.

The renovated BMC will house a much-expanded Barnes & Noble that will show an increase in retail offerings, as it will be approximately 4,000 square feet larger.

Humphrey said that the expanded bookstore might house music, videos, a larger periodical section and other products. A coffee shop will not be a part of the bookstore, she said, as it would have to close when the bookstore closed. A separate coffee shop is being planned for the building.

Ciborowski said, “We will expand our product selection on periodicals, reading materials and an expanded Billiken Shop. Other details have not yet been worked out.”

In the renovated BMC, the new bookstore will take the space currently held by Campus Ministry and the Saint Louis Room.