Barnes & Noble to open first new Tampa store in 15 years

Barnes & Noble is set to open its first new Tampa store in 15 years this week.

The store will open Wednesday in the Town Square Center on Westshore Boulevard in space previously occupied by Pier One. The new location will actually replace an existing store that was at 213 N. Dale Mabry Highway and closed after a nearly two month moving sale. Barnes & Noble had been in that location for 29 years.

“Much has changed in that time, but the core of good bookselling remains — well curated shops staffed by booksellers who are passionate about what they do,” says James Daunt, the chain’s CEO, in a statement.