JENKINTOWN, PA — Barnes & Noble will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of its new bookstore on Wednesday.
The new bookstore will open in the Noble Town Center at 905 Old York Road in the Jenkintown section of Abington, filling the void of one that closed nearby in Willow Grove a few years ago.
The opening also marks the return to Jenkintown after an absence of close to 14 years and is located just across the road from its old home.
At more than 20,000 square feet in size, the new Barnes & Noble is located in Noble Town Center in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space, next to Ross.
The Barnes & Noble bookstore will officially open to the public at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, with local author K.L. Walther cutting the ribbon and signing copies of her most recent title "The Summer of Second Chances."
Costume character Biscuit the Dog will also join the festivities and host special story time events over the weekend.
The original Jenkintown Barnes & Noble opened in 1993, the year the bookseller opened 85 stores.
It closed 20 years later in 2013, a year in which 18 stores closed and in the middle of a decade when Barnes & Noble shed close to 200 bookstores.
It opens again as one of 60 new Barnes & Noble stores to open this year, and one of 180 stores to open in the last 3 years.
With independent booksellers like Capricorn Books existing as well, the Barnes & Noble exemplifies the return of physical bookstores.
"I'm thrilled to bring a bookstore back to the Jenkintown community and create a welcoming gathering place centered around our shared love of books," Store Manager Angelica Casner said. "We want this to be more than a place to buy books — it will be a gathering place where neighbors can connect through local author events, book clubs, and shared ideas. We're passionate about creating a true third space for Jenkintown, shaped by the people who call this community home."
For the grand opening, Barnes & Noble Premium and Rewards Members will earn double stamps on all purchases made between Sept. 16 and 20.
The rewards program is free to enroll and customers who are not yet members are encouraged to sign up and start earning stamps and rewards right away.
Everyone who visits the new Jenkintown Barnes & Noble during the grand opening will have access to exclusive deals, like $50 off any NOOK device. Customers can also save 40 percent off on all DVD, Blu-ray, and 4k Ultra HD movies.
Customers can discover more about upcoming events and news by following @bnjenkintownpa on social media.
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