Barnes & Noble is opening a new store in Raleigh, N.C., today, its first to open in the area in 18 years. The new B&N is located in the Village District shopping center, which the company described as "the highly coveted and popular shopping center that is home to some of the best shopping and dining in Raleigh."
Today's ribbon-cutting grand opening event, at 10 a.m., features Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing, who will "participate in a meet and greet with fans immediately following the ribbon cutting." She commented: "I am so delighted to open a new Barnes & Noble here in my home state of North Carolina. I have been so touched by the support of so many Barnes & Noble booksellers for Where the Crawdads Sing. I hope shoppers in Raleigh will enjoy this new store as much as I do."
The 10,400-square-foot store has custom-made "oak shelving, is light and bright, and marks a dramatic change in the bookseller's appearance," B&N said. CEO James Daunt added, "Our new store here in Village District is bright, welcoming and completely designed with this community of readers in mind. Store manager Jen Curtis and her team have embraced the challenge to create within it a distinctive, energetic bookstore that promises to be truly exceptional."
The new store has an emphasis on lifestyle books, including many cookbooks, home, decor and art titles, as well as a strong children's section. With North Carolina State University located across the street, there are also large sections devoted to YA and manga. The company added, "The traditional strengths of B&N in new fiction and non-fiction hardcovers will also be front-and-center at the store."
Manager Jen Curtis, who has been a B&N bookseller for more than 20 years, said, "I feel so lucky to be part of this endeavor, and I just cannot wait to meet the community and start the many events I have planned. I hope to see everyone soon."
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The University of North Georgia has chosen Barnes & Noble College to manage its five campus bookstores and the university bookstore website, effective at the end of September.
Stephanie Nakamura, interim director of Auxiliary Services at the university, said, "Through this partnership, we will provide students affordable course materials needed for success and ensure that faculty have support throughout the entire process of course material adoption."
The stores will also offer "an expanded assortment of apparel, gifts, accessories and other items," particularly university-branded products.
Jonathan Shar, executive v-p of BNED Retail and president of Barnes & Noble College, said, "UNG is an institution grounded in a student-focused environment, and we look forward to joining our new partner in delivering forward-thinking solutions that can help students succeed in the classroom and beyond."