Barnes & Noble Opens New Store in Chapel Hill, NC09/24/2026

Author Scott Reintgen to Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Book Signing at the Grand Opening at 10AM on Wednesday, September 23^rd, 2026

Chapel Hill, NC - September 18th, 2026 - Barnes & Noble is pleased to announce the opening of its new Chapel Hill, NC bookstore on Wednesday, September 23^rd. Situated in one of North Carolina's most celebrated college towns, the bookstore will serve students, faculty, families, and readers from across the Chapel Hill community. Its location in University Place places the new Barnes & Noble at the heart of a vibrant destination for shopping, dining, and community gathering.

The new Barnes & Noble offers more than 20,000 square feet of books, toys, games, magazines, gift items, a Barnes & Noble Café and more. The new Chapel Hill, NC Barnes & Noble is located in University Place 201 S Estes Dr #200A, in the former Planet Fitness space, next to Aveda Institute.

Chapel Hill Barnes & Noble bookstore will officially open to the public at 10AM Eastern on Wednesday the 23^rd, with local author Scott Reintgen cutting the ribbon and signing copies of his acclaimed book, Rise of Neptune. Costume Character Little Brown Hare will also join the festivities and host special story time events over the weekend.

The new Chapel Hill Barnes & Noble is one of 3 stores to open on September 23^rd, joining new stores in Mobile, AL, and Richmond, TX. The Chapel Hill bookstore is the second Barnes & Noble to open in the Triangle area of North Carolina this year, following the opening of its Knightdale location in June. The design of the Chapel Hill store showcases the ambition of Barnes & Noble to create exceptional local bookstores that marry the best traditions of independent bookselling with the resources of the historic chain.

Barnes & Noble Premium and Rewards Members will earn double stamps on all purchases made between September 23^rd and 27^th. Customers who are not yet Members are encouraged to sign up and start earning stamps and rewards right away.

Everyone who visits the new City Barnes & Noble during the grand opening will have access to exclusive deals, like $50 off any NOOK device. Customers can also save 40% on all DVD, Blu-ray, and 4k Ultra HD movies.

"It's a pleasure to be opening another Barnes & Noble in North Carolina," said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. "Every new Barnes & Noble is unique, shaped by the booksellers who run it and the readers it serves. 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."

Barnes & Noble is enjoying a period of tremendous growth as the strategy to hand control of each bookstore to its local booksellers has proven so successful. The bookseller is experiencing strong sales in its existing stores and has been opening many new stores after more than 15 years of declining store numbers.

Store Manager Andrea Wilson, who has been with Barnes & Noble for 15 years said, "My team and I are excited to create a true third place for the Chapel Hill community, a space where people can relax, browse, and enjoy spending time. Our hope is that this becomes a place readers return to regularly, not just to shop, but to feel connected to their local community."

Customers can discover more about upcoming events and news by following @bnchapelhillnc on social media.

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