Barnes & Noble is opening a new store in La Jolla, Calif., with a grand opening on Wednesday, October 8. Local author and illustrator Pam Fong will cut the ribbon and sign copies of her books, including her most recent release, The Little Cloud (Greenwillow Books).
The new B&N has 15,000 square feet and is located in La Jolla Village Square at 8657 Villa La Jolla Dr. The opening marks the return of B&N to La Jolla. In 2022, B&N closed its Bookstar in the Costa Verde Center.
B&N CEO James Daunt said, "We are very pleased to be bringing a bookstore back to La Jolla, just a short drive from our previous, much-loved location. La Jolla over the years has been such an important community for Barnes & Noble and we were devastated to have to close the Bookstar back in 2022. Our La Jolla booksellers will be very proud to welcome their customers back to their beautiful new Barnes & Noble."
Store manager Andrea Lew, a B&N bookseller for 10 years, added, "Our booksellers are as eager to be back in La Jolla as they are to welcome customers into their new La Jolla Village Square Barnes & Noble. For readers looking to spend time and connect with the community, we are just the place. The Barnes & Noble La Jolla booksellers look forward to welcoming all to explore the stacks!"
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Also on Wednesday, October 8, B&N is opening a new store in Knoxville, Tenn., with author Holly Renee cutting the ribbon and signing copies of her books, including A Kingdom of Blood and Betrayal (Sourcebooks Casablanca).
Located in Pinnacle at Turkey Creek, 11334 Parkside Dr., the new B&N is the company's second in Knoxville. It has 15,000 square feet of space and a café.
"We are so excited to be bringing another Barnes & Noble to Knoxville, right in the heart of Pinnacle at Turkey Creek," said store manager James Lafferty, a B&N bookseller for six years. "We can't wait to see smiling faces, both new and old, that are ready to start this next chapter with us!"