Next Wednesday, Barnes & Noble is opening a store in Blue Springs, Mo., near Kansas City, replacing one in Independence that closed in February 2021, KCTV5 reported. A ribbon cutting ceremony will feature local children's author Kim Luke (the Enchanted Farm at Fort Osage series).
The new store is in Adams Dairy Landing and will have, B&N said, "a cozy design with beautiful book rooms and a complementary assortment of stationery, puzzles, toys and gifts for readers."
Manager Eric Fuchs said, "My team and I are so excited to be bringing the Blue Springs and Independence communities together by sharing our love of books with everybody. I am a Missouri native and am glad I can stay in my home state doing the job I love. Blue Springs is an area where everything is new and exciting. We are enjoying the thrill of tailoring our displays to meet our community's desires."
Many of the new store's booksellers worked at the Independence store.
Amy Fitzgerald, B&N v-p of stores, said that the company is "thrilled to be opening another store in the Kansas City area and is happy to be able to continue to open stores across the country. We have two new stores opening just this week, with many more planned in 2022."