Barnes & Noble to open new store in Tucson

Barnes & Noble has announced it will open a new location at 4350 N. Oracle Road.

The 16,056-square-foot location in the Oracle and Wetmore Shopping Center was previously occupied by Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts.

“This isn’t just a one-off,” said Aaron LaPrise, a retail broker with Picor who handled the lease.

He noted that the independent bookstore in Oro Valley, Stacks Book Club, is preparing to open a second location at 2920 E. Broadway. And Tucson’s oldest bookstore, The Book Stop on Fourth Avenue, was recently bought by a new owner after plans for its closure were announced.

“With so many things going digital, this is one area where the traditional form is still thriving,” LaPrise said.

He said a contributing factor is BookTok, a community on social media site TikTok where people share and recommend their favorite books.

Authors featured on BookTok have seen sales increase.

“That kind of influence doesn’t go unnoticed,” LaPrise said. “Even Barnes & Noble and other book stores are now featuring dedicated displays for books trending on BookTok.”

The new Tucson store is one of 60 new locations Barnes & Noble plans to open across the U.S. this year, fueled by strong sales.

LaPrise said for the Oracle and Wetmore Shopping Center, this new lease “checks a lot of boxes.”

“A national brand on an upswing, a built-in audience, and a format designed to drive foot traffic and dwell time,” he said. “It’s a strong addition to the center and to Tucson’s retail market.”

The new store is expected to open in the fall.