Barnes & Noble opened its third location in the Grand Rapids area on Wednesday, March 26. The store, situated at Knapp’s Crossing, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting, featuring Michigan author Erin Craig, whose books include “The Thirteenth Child” and “House of Roots and Ruin.”
The store on 2236 East Beltline Ave. NE joins its counterparts at the Woodland Mall in Kentwood and RiverTown Crossings in Grandville. Avid readers at Grand Valley State University have expressed enthusiasm at the thought of a new location.
“They’re (bookstores) so important because young people care enough to support things that matter and books matter,” said GVSU sophomore Claire Dillon. “Reading is so good for you. You’re strengthening your own vocabulary and mind, as well as developing a fun and engaging habit. It’s a win-win.”
According to WOOD-TV, Barnes & Noble is experiencing “tremendous growth,” with 60 locations set to open nationwide this year.
The store’s opening allows those in the greater Grand Rapids area, including students, to have increased access to books. Deanna Endlein, the new location’s deputy assistant manager believes it is very important for college towns to have ample supplies of books.
“Having the ability of books to read, opens you to different viewpoints,” Endlein explained.
Sophie Gemmen is a GVSU student who works at an independent bookstore. Like Dillon, she is delighted about the new Barnes & Noble.
“The new location is exciting,” said Gemmen. “I love physically shopping for books and new physical bookstores provide more opportunities and resources for communities to do so.”
Gemmen said she typically visits Barnes & Noble in Holland to avoid the mall traffic of the Grandville store. With the new closer location, she said she might switch the Barnes & Noble she shops at. Touching on her employment experience, Gemmen also mentioned the importance of small bookstores.
“I enjoy and go to Barnes & Noble relatively often, but as an independent bookstore employee, I love to support local shops like Cellar Bird, Orchard House and Schuler Books, so I tend to choose those places first,” Gemmen stated. “Cellar Bird in particular is very close to GVSU’s downtown campus, which is very convenient.”
Gemmen said bookstores are a place to relax, drink an iced latte and surround herself with people and stories she loves.
“Having bookstores right in or near college towns helps to foster community in ways only local bookstores can,” Gemmen said.
Her advice for students who want to pursue reading as a hobby is to interact with those in the book community.
“Book people are the best kind of people, so if you’re looking for a positive community, I definitely recommend talking with booksellers or joining a book club,” Gemmen explained.
Endlein also noted that students should find enjoyable books and stressed the importance of learning through reading. She acknowledged that with students’ busy schedules, it can be hard to make time for the hobby, but she feels it is a productive and entertaining way for students to use their time.
“Even if you have a hard time making time for ‘fun reading’ during college, try to back into it because it’s worth it,” Endlein said. “It’s nice to learn through reading, but it’s also fun just to explore. You only get one life, but through reading, you kind of get other lives and that’s awesome.”
