Barnes & Noble reopens its doors in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Nearly four years after it was destroyed in the March 2020 tornado, Barnes & Noble is back in business.

The bookstore opened its doors to customers at 9 a.m. Wednesday at its new location at The Uptown at Crossroads, 2300 E. Highland Dr. in Jonesboro.

The store is located in the former Pier 1 Imports next to Office Max.

Barnes & Noble was a fixture at The Mall at Turtle Creek for 14 years until an EF-3 tornado tore through the heart of the shopping center.

Initially, there were concerns the store would not reopen in Jonesboro. But, in January of 2023, Haag Brown Commercial Real Estate and Development announced it had closed the deal on the store’s return.

“There is nowhere we have wanted more to return than to Jonesboro,” said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble, in a news release. “Readers in Northeast Arkansas remember fondly our previous bookstore in the Turtle Creek Mall and were dismayed when it was demolished by a tornado in March of 2020. We could not be happier to be back in Jonesboro with this stunning and expansive new Barnes & Noble.”

Store Manager Chris Bolick echoed Daunt’s feelings about the store reopening in Jonesboro.

“I am so honored to be part of bringing Barnes & Noble back to this wonderful community,” Bolick said. “We can’t wait to welcome you into your beautiful new Jonesboro Barnes & Noble.”