Barnes & Noble Celebrates Grand Opening of New Katy Store with Ribbon-Cutting, Author Signing, and Community Perks
The wait is finally over for book lovers in Katy. On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Barnes & Noble will officially open its newest store at 435 S. Fry Road in the Greentree Shopping Center. Filling the former Party City location next to Five Below, this nearly 22,000-square-foot bookstore will bring a vast selection of literature, gifts, toys, games, and a cozy B&N Café to the heart of West Harris County.
The grand opening celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by acclaimed local author ReShonda Tate, who will also be signing copies of her newest release, With Love from Harlem. Adding excitement for young readers, a special appearance by Llama Llama, the beloved character from Anna Dewdney’s children’s books, will round out the festivities.
A Highly Anticipated Arrival for Katy Bookworms
Katy residents have long voiced their desire for a local Barnes & Noble, and the bookstore chain took notice.
“We received more emails suggesting, in Texan terms, that we open a bookstore in Katy than for any other location in the United States,” said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. “It has taken some time to find the right location and a store of sufficient scale, and now we have a seriously good store about to open.”
This new Katy location joins a growing list of Barnes & Noble stores in the Greater Houston area—including Copperfield, River Oaks, Town & Country, Webster, and The Woodlands—but will be one of the only full-scale bookstores serving Katy, Cinco Ranch, Nottingham Country, and other nearby communities.
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A Store Designed for Community and Connection
The Katy store reflects Barnes & Noble’s new design strategy: large enough to impress, yet thoughtfully laid out to feel personal and inviting. Like other recent openings, this store focuses on local engagement and creating welcoming spaces for browsing, reading, and connecting.
“Seeing the new stores going from an empty shell to a completed, beautiful bookstore is the best feeling!” said Store Manager Kelly Duke, a 26-year Barnes & Noble bookseller who has helped open multiple locations. “Our team—who are mostly locals to Katy—are excited to have their favorite bookstore in the city they call home.”
From curated book selections and cozy reading nooks to dedicated children’s and young adult areas, the Katy Barnes & Noble is designed to be a cultural hub where residents can relax, explore, and feel at home.
Grand Opening Deals and Membership Rewards
To celebrate the grand opening, Barnes & Noble is offering several exclusive promotions:
- Double stamps for B&N Premium and Rewards Members from January 28 through February 1
- $50 off all NOOK devices
- 40% off all DVDs, Blu-ray, and 4k Ultra HD movies
Customers not yet enrolled in the membership program are encouraged to sign up in-store or online to start earning rewards.
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A New Chapter for Katy Retail
The bookstore’s opening marks a significant milestone in the transformation of the former Party City space, part of a nationwide retail shift toward experiential and community-based shopping. Renovations began in fall 2025, with the location strategically placed to attract foot traffic from the Fry Road corridor and surrounding neighborhoods.
With Barnes & Noble's return to expansion mode—having opened more stores in 2025 than in the entire previous decade—this Katy location is one of over 60 new bookstores the company expects to open in 2026. The bookseller has rebounded from previous years of decline, now boasting over 700 stores nationwide.
“Our Katy bookselling team is creating a bookstore of great ambition,” added Daunt. “They look forward to welcoming the Katy community into this beautiful bookstore.”
As Katy continues to grow, the new Barnes & Noble provides a much-needed literary anchor in the community—offering not just books, but a space to gather, learn, and be inspired.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
