Barnes & Noble Opens New Store in the Historic Noel State Bank Building in Wicker Park10/23/2024

Author Jeneva Rose to Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Book Signing at the Grand Opening at 10AM on Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Chicago, IL - October 23, 2024 - Barnes & Noble is thrilled to announce the opening of its new Wicker Park bookstore on Wednesday, October 30^th. The new Barnes & Noble is the second to open in Chicago this year, following the return of the bookseller to Lincoln Park in May with its store on W. Diversey Parkway. The Wicker Park bookstore occupies the historic Noel State Bank building.

The Noel State bank building, in the heart of the landmarked Milwaukee Avenue District, is one of the architectural gems of Chicago. The ornate interior is even more impressive than the exterior. The bookseller has sensitively preserved the splendor of the building to create a spectacular bookstore.

The new Wicker Park Barnes & Noble is located at 1601 North Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL 60647, at the intersections with W. North Avenue and N. Damen Avenue. The bookstore will officially open to the public at 10AM CT on Wednesday the 30^th with author Jeneva Rose cutting the ribbon and signing copies of her books.

"We open what is now one of the most beautiful bookstores anywhere in the world," said James Daunt, CEO, Barnes & Noble. "Its architects in 1919 described it as the dernier cri in bank architecture and indeed only bankers could have thought to build something so ornate. A little over a century later, we booksellers are thrilled to be the beneficiaries."

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.

"We are really looking forward to bringing Barnes & Noble to such a vibrant community," said Store Manager James Pioth. "Booksellers from around the Chicago area have come together to join me as we curate this Barnes & Noble for the readers in Wicker Park. Moving into this beautiful, historic building is so exciting, and we are counting down the days until we finally get to share it with everyone."

The Wicker Park location opens a few days before another new Barnes & Noble to be housed in a remarkable building. The bookseller is opening a new bookstore in Georgetown early in November, marking its return to Washington D.C. It will occupy the former Forest Hall, a spectacular building that has done duty as a jail, a movie theater and even, for 20 years, as a bookstore.

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

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