The chief executive of Barnes & Noble has issued a defiant rebuttal to accusations that the opening of a new chain store in Chicago has forced a long-standing independent bookshop to close its doors, mirroring the plot of the beloved film You've Got Mail.
A Real-Life 'You've Got Mail' Scenario
Two sisters, Rebecca and Kimberly George, who run Volumes Bookcafe in Chicago's Wicker Park neighbourhood, have announced they will shutter their business at the end of January 2026. They cite a devastating 30 percent plunge in sales since Barnes & Noble opened a new outlet just a few minutes' walk away in October 2024.
Rebecca George told the Daily Mail that the crucial holiday season was particularly catastrophic, with sales down by an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 compared to previous years. She stated that on some days, the shop now sells only a dozen books, a far cry from the 100 it once moved daily. 'Nothing else was happening during [the holiday season] that would have had that dramatic of an effect,' she asserted, placing the blame squarely on the new Barnes & Noble.
CEO James Daunt's Controversial Response
However, Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt, who also runs the UK's Waterstones chain, strongly rejected the claim. In emails to the Daily Mail and concerned community members, Daunt argued that Volumes Bookcafe is not a 'full-fledged bookstore' but rather 'a café with a very limited selection of books in the rear.'
He expressed scepticism that his store was the cause of their difficulties, writing: 'I am sorry that Volumes Bookcafe believes that our bookstore is the cause for their difficulties. This is unlikely to be the case.' Daunt emphasised that his new store lacks a café and an events programme, differentiating it from Volumes.
He further defended his record, stating: 'Neither Barnes & Noble, nor Waterstones, have opened a bookstore under my tenure which directly impacts an independent bookstore.'
Community Backlash and a Defence of Indie Bookselling
Daunt's comments provoked a strong reaction from the bookshop's supporters and the wider literary community. Katie Sparks, a friend of the owners and a publishing professional, contacted Daunt to urge reconsideration of the location. She found his characterisation of Volumes as merely a cafe 'very insulting,' insisting it is '100 percent an independent bookstore.'
Another local bookstore owner, Rachel Weaver, also emailed Daunt in defence of Volumes. She wrote that the shop 'always has been a full-service independent bookstore' and that its cafe serves as a literary event space to nurture the community. Weaver challenged Daunt's stance, saying: 'If you're going to operate B&N like all of your predecessors, just say so. Don't pretend like you're the perfect gentleman.'
In his replies, Daunt stood by his assessment, calling Volumes 'an inspiring café/bar with a vibrant literary events programme' with a 'limited range of books.' He suggested that strengthening bookselling in an area should benefit complementary businesses, writing: 'When you strengthen bookselling in an area, complementary booksellers all benefit.'
The dispute has drawn inevitable comparisons to the 1998 romantic comedy You've Got Mail, where a small bookshop run by Meg Ryan's character struggles to compete with a large chain store owned by Tom Hanks's character. Like the fictional 'Shop Around the Corner,' Volumes Bookcafe, open since 2016, built a loyal following of 30,000 loyalty programme members and hosted numerous author events before announcing its closure in November 2024.
