PALM HARBOR, FL — Barnes & Noble will celebrate the opening of its newest Tampa Bay-area store on Oct. 29.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Palm Harbor Store at 33591 US Highway 19 N. is set for 10 a.m. This will be followed by a book signing with New York Times-bestselling author Sarah Penner, including her latest novel, “The Amalfi Curse.”
The new store offers 22,000 square feet of boots, toys, games, magazines and gift items, as well as a B&N Café. The bookstore is located in Highland Lakes Plaza next to Trader Joe’s.
“We are very pleased to be opening this beautiful new bookstore in Palm Harbor, our sixth Barnes & Noble to open in Florida this year — so far,” James Daunt, CEO, said. “The enduring appeal of real bookstores at a time of ongoing growth in reading means that Barnes & Noble is opening new bookstores at a pace not achieved in decades. Handing the reins to our booksellers means that each is tailored to its community, and our Palm Harbor booksellers are eager to welcome their customers in.”
Barnes & Noble is in a period of growth, with strong sales at its existing stores and the opening of a number of new stores after more than 15 years of declining store numbers, the company said.
In 2024, the brand opened more new bookstores in a single year than it had in the whole decade from 2009 to 2019. The bookseller expects to open over 60 new bookstores in 2025.
The Palm Harbor location is one of eight new Barnes & Noble bookstores set to open in October, alongside new stores in California, Connecticut, South Florida, Idaho, Louisiana and Tennessee.
“Our team of passionate, enthusiastic and experienced booksellers has been busy curating this new Barnes & Noble with the Palm Harbor community in mind,” Gina Martins, store manager and Barnes & Noble bookseller of 18 years, said. “We’re all looking forward to seeing both new and long-time customers, and becoming a gathering place, a part of the fabric of this community.”
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