It’s official: Barnes & Noble moving to mall this November

The lease has been signed and plans are well underway for the new Barnes & Noble at Kitsap Mall, expected to open in November.

The world’s largest bookseller is relocating to the current Gottschalks store, which is set to close April 23, with plans of sharing the space with Cost Plus World Market.

“This location was chosen primarily because of its excellent location,” said Abbe Ruttenberg Serphos, the New York-based director of communications for Barnes & Noble. “It is a larger facility, located at a very successful mall with fantastic co-tenants.”

Mall officials were made aware of the signed lease late Thursday evening and at press time were unable to comment. Barnes & Noble filed a construction permit with the county on Dec. 27, 2005 to remodel the 50,000-square-foot building.

The buzz surrounding the move has affected both customers and employees at the Silverdale store.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” said Ruthanne Devlin, store spokeswoman, on Friday morning. “Customers keep asking when we’re moving and we’re all looking forward to being in a brand-new store for the Christmas season.”

The day prior to the opening of the new store, the existing Barnes & Noble on Randall Way will close, according to the company.

“Hopefully we won’t miss a single day of service,” Devlin said.

With a stock close to 200,000 book, magazine, music and DVD titles, patrons can expect a much larger variety at the new store. And like the current Barnes & Noble, the new store will feature a café serving Starbucks coffee, a first inside the mall.

Devlin said the new location also could be a huge draw for literary fans.

“We’re hoping to bring in more events and bigger authors because there will be more space,” she said.

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