Barnes & Noble hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 30 for the reopening of its completely remodeled bookstore at 28801 Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere, Ohio. Festivities at the 20,000-square-foot store, which originally opened 23 years ago, included author John Rinaldi cutting the ribbon and signing copies of his memoir, Lil' John: Laughing My Way Through Life: Stories from an Accidental Career on Cleveland TV--and More! (Gray & Co.).
"Woodmere has long been an exceptional bookstore and we are very pleased to invest in so significant a renovation," B&N said. "The bookstore is now effectively a brand-new store when--pleasingly in this case--remaining in the same location. We look forward to surprising our customers with the transformation."
On September 23, B&N held official openings for three more bookstores:
In Richmond, Tex. an 18,000-square-foot location debuted in a newly constructed building in the Market Center at Aliana. Author J. Elle cut the ribbon and signed copies of her novel The Heart Trials (Putnam Books for Young Readers).
"We are very pleased by the welcome our new bookstores have received across Texas," B&N noted. "We are delighted to continue the momentum of store openings with an excellent new store in Richmond. These are very happy days for our booksellers in Texas."
There was also a celebration in Chapel Hill, N.C., for a new 20,000-square-foot bookstore in University Place at 201 S. Estes Dr. #200A. Author Scott Reintgen cut the ribbon and signed copies of his novel Rise of Neptune (Aladdin).
"It's a pleasure to be opening another Barnes & Noble in North Carolina," B&N said. "This is a wonderfully inviting store, and our booksellers are looking forward to becoming a part of the community and sharing their enthusiasm for books."
In Mobile, Ala., B&N hosted a grand opening celebration for its new store in McGregor Square at 3930 B Airport Blvd., marking a return to the city. The chain had closed its Springdale Mall store in 2010. Opening festivities included author Watt Key cutting the ribbon and signing copies of his novel Beast (Square Fish).
"Barnes & Noble is delighted to return to Mobile, a remarkable city with a deep appreciation for history, storytelling, and community," B&N said. "As bookstores enjoy such a renaissance, our bookselling team is excited to bring a Barnes & Noble to Mobile and to bring another bookstore to the Gulf Coast."