Barnes & Noble to Open New Katy Location in Former Party City Space Near Nottingham Country
Beloved bookstore chain Barnes & Noble is bringing a new chapter to Katy, Texas, with a freshly announced location set to open at 435 South Fry Road, near the Nottingham Country neighborhood. The store will move into the former Party City space, previously part of a nationwide closure and liquidation effort. The renovation, an interior build-out of the existing 21,883-square-foot space, is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025, with completion expected by February 25, 2026.
This new Barnes & Noble in Katy will expand the brand’s presence in the Greater Houston area, offering book lovers and families in West Harris County a convenient new destination for literature, gifts, and community events.
Barnes & Noble’s National Legacy and Local Reach
Founded in 1886, Barnes & Noble has grown into the largest retail bookseller in the United States, operating over 600 stores nationwide. With a renewed focus on individualized store experiences, the company continues to maintain its role as a cultural hub for communities across the country. In addition to its physical locations, Barnes & Noble also runs a robust online bookstore and oversees Barnes & Noble College, which serves over 700 college and university campuses.
In the Greater Houston area, the new Katy location will join several other Barnes & Noble stores, including those in Copperfield, Town & Country Village, River Oaks, The Woodlands, and Webster—but it will be one of the few in the western suburbs, bringing more access to residents of Katy, Cinco Ranch, and nearby communities.
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A New Chapter in Store Design
Barnes & Noble’s newest locations, including the upcoming Katy store, reflect a significant redesign strategy adopted in recent years. Moving away from the traditional "big box" feel of its earlier stores, the brand is rolling out smaller, community-oriented bookstores that feature a more intimate and inviting atmosphere. These redesigned stores include curated selections of books tailored to the local community, modernized interiors, cozy reading nooks, and expanded children’s and young adult sections.
The new store in Katy is expected to mirror this updated Barnes & Noble layout, appealing to both longtime fans and new customers looking for a bookstore with a coffee shop feel and engaging space to browse, read, and connect. Many redesigned stores have also incorporated local author displays, seasonal features, and rotating book recommendations from staff, creating a more personalized shopping experience.
Filling a Gap in the Katy Literary Landscape
The announcement is likely to be welcomed by local residents, particularly those in and around Nottingham Country, who have been seeking bookstores near Fry Road and family-friendly shopping destinations in Katy. With the closure of Party City and other big-box retailers in recent years, the repurposing of this space into a thriving cultural destination reflects larger trends in suburban retail redevelopment.
As Barnes & Noble continues to rebound and redefine its identity in a digital age, this new Katy location represents both an expansion of retail presence and a reinvestment in community-centered brick-and-mortar experiences.
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Opening Timeline and What to Expect
Renovation of the space is expected to be completed by late February 2026, with a potential grand opening to follow shortly thereafter. The store will occupy a large footprint in a busy shopping area, bringing new foot traffic and energy to the corridor.
Stay tuned for further details about hiring, store events, and opening celebrations as the project progresses.
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.
