Barnes & Noble looking to move into bigger site at Barracks Road?

The Barnes & Noble at Barracks Road Shopping Center may be moving on up.

City officials say that if plans are approved to relocate the store a few steps south into the building formerly occupied by Goody’s Family Clothing Inc., the bookseller would expand its retail space from one story to two.

Shopping center site plans from Maryland-based Federal Realty Investment Trust, Barracks’ owner, show that the current Barnes & Noble’s one-floor space is 20,433 square feet. The Goody’s space measures 30,563 feet.

Federal Realty officials could not comment on the possible Barnes & Noble relocation because a lease has not been signed. It is unknown whether the current store would stay open during the new building’s construction, or what would fill the current space if the store moves out. Federal Realty purchased the 38.5-acre shopping center in 1986 for $24.5 million.

For the bookseller to have a two-story building, city Planning Manager Missy Creasy said, the section of the building that formerly housed Goody’s would be torn down and Federal Realty would reconstruct it into two floors. The current structure, she said, is not equipped to support a second story.

“With this, they would be able to tailor the space a little more to their needs,” Creasy said.

Goody’s, a clothing and housewares chain, resided in the space situated next to Bed, Bath & Beyond for 15 years before closing its doors Jan. 31. Furniture Promotions has occupied the space since late March. Their lease ends Aug. 31.

Barnes & Noble spokesperson Lenore Feder said that as of Tuesday afternoon, the company had not been notified of a relocation of the Barnes & Noble at Barracks Road. Officials declined to comment on the new store’s opening before signing a lease.

The property is subject to entrance corridor review by the city’s Planning Commission because of its location on Emmet Street. The commission will take up the item during its Sept. 9 meeting.

In the meantime, Creasy said city staff is reviewing site plans. With no requirement for special-use permits, if a lease is inked, construction of the new building could begin as soon as the plans are approved.