American book giant Barnes & Noble is opening its third store in Colorado Springs.

The New York City-based retailer officially opens at 9 a.m. March 4 at 3173 Cinema Point, inside the bustling First & Main shopping center on the city’s east side, the company announced Wednesday. It is located next to Ulta and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Local author Rebecca Yarros, a New York Times bestseller most known for her Empyrean fantasy book series — the first book in the series, “Fourth Wing,” was published in spring 2023 — will join the celebration and cut the ribbon. Corduroy the bear will also attend, welcoming readers of all ages to the celebration and joining in a special Storytime, a weekly reading program for kids.

The 18,000-square-foot store will offer books, toys, games, magazines, gifts and a Barnes & Noble cafe. It is the third new location to open in Colorado in the last two years, the company said in a news release, and joins two other Colorado Springs Barnes & Noble stores: one located across from the Chapel Hills Mall in Briargate and another near The Citadel mall on the city’s south side.

The building near The Citadel, at 795 Citadel Drive, is advertised as for sale, but Vice President of Store Planning and Design Janine Flanigan repeated on Wednesday that Barnes & Noble will continue operations as usual at this location.

Wednesday’s grand opening celebration will include exclusive deals, such as $50 off any NOOK device. Customers can save 40% on DVD, Blu-ray and 4k Ultra HD movies.

Barnes & Noble Premium and Rewards Members will also earn double stamps on all purchases made from March 4-8.

“Bookstores are enjoying an extraordinary renaissance, with new Barnes & Noble stores opening across the country, as (well as) so many new independent bookstores,” the company’s Chief Executive Officer James Daunt said in the release. “What could be more exciting than to have Rebecca Yarros opening our latest in Colorado Springs? No author better exemplifies the excitement of books and reading, and the unique pleasures of bookstores as places of discovery.”

After more than 15 years of declining store numbers, Barnes & Noble is seeing “tremendous growth” after handing control of each bookstore to its local booksellers, the retailer said in the release. As recently as 2023, the number of Barnes & Noble locations had dipped below 600.

The company now boasts more than 700 locations. Barnes & Noble opened more new bookstores in 2025 than it had in the decade between 2009 and 2019, officials said. Barnes & Noble opened 57 stores last year. Officials said in the release the company will open more than 60 new locations in 2026.

“The most exciting aspect of opening the new store is the opportunity to create a vibrant, welcoming space where the community can connect and share their passion for books and reading,” Miranda Anderson, the store manager of the new Colorado Springs Barnes & Noble location, said in the release. “I look forward to engaging with book lovers through author events, children’s crafts and Storytime, and book clubs. We are excited about the grand opening and cannot wait to share our store with the community!”