Barnes & Noble Opens New Store in Lakeland

Author Elise Kova to Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Book Signing at the Grand Opening at 9AM on Wednesday, November 19^th, 2025

Lakeland, FL – November 13, 2025  -Barnes & Noble is thrilled to announce the opening of its new Lakeland, FL bookstore on Wednesday, November 19^th.

The new Barnes & Noble will offer over 13,000 square feet of books, toys, games, magazines, gift items and more. The new Lakeland, FL Barnes & Noble is located in Merchants Walk (3615 S Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33803) in the former Party City space, near Hobby Lobby.

The new Barnes & Noble bookstore will officially open to the public at 9AM ET on Wednesday the 19^th, with bestselling author Elise Kova cutting the ribbon and signing copies of her books, including her latest release, Arcana Academy.

The new Lakeland Barnes & Noble is one of six new bookstores to open today, just one week after the bookseller opened its 50^th new bookstore in 2025. In another milestone, Barnes & Noble now boasts over 700 bookstores, having been below 600 stores as recently as 2023.

Barnes & Noble Premium and Rewards Members will earn double stamps on all purchases made through grand opening weekend. Customers who are not yet Members are encouraged to sign up and start earning stamps and rewards right away. They will also receive a free tote on grand opening day.

Everyone who visits the new Lakeland 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.

“As we open new stores across the country, we do so with an eye not only to enter new markets, but to return to those we once served,” said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. “It has been many years since our original Lakeland store closed and the return is overdue. We are back in time for the height of holiday shopping, and our booksellers are eager to welcome customers into their brand-new Barnes & Noble.”

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.

Having fallen below 600 locations as recently as 2023, it now has over 700 bookstores. In 2024, Barnes & Noble opened more new bookstores in a single year than it had in the whole decade from 2009 to 2019. The bookseller will open over 60 new bookstores in 2025.

The Lakeland location is one of 14 new Barnes & Noble bookstores set to open in November, alongside stores opening in California, Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Each grand opening has drawn enthusiastic crowds that wrap around the building, filling the store as the ribbon is cut.

The design of the Lakeland 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. The new Lakeland Barnes & Noble will cover over 13,000 square feet and carry all the best books, as well as a wide range of toys, games and the usual paper and gifting items found at Barnes & Noble.

“The positive response to the news of our opening was overwhelming," said Store Manager Tammy Randolph, Barnes & Noble bookseller of 21 years. “It is my great pleasure to welcome our community back to their Lakeland Barnes & Noble. It feels wonderful to be home again.”

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

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