Barnes & Noble Returns to Costa Mesa, CA08/20/2026

Author Tahereh Mafi to Host Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Book Signing at the Grand Opening at 10AM on Wednesday, August 26^th, 2026

Costa Mesa, CA - August 19^th, 2026 - Barnes & Noble is thrilled to announce its return to Costa Mesa, CA. The bookseller is to open a major flagship store in South Coast Plaza Mall on Wednesday, August 26^th. The expansive new store opens in a bright and beautiful new space, across the street from where Barnes & Noble's old location in Metro Pointe Costa Mesa closed more than a decade ago.

The new Barnes & Noble spans more than 27,000 square feet on the upper floor of South Coast Plaza Mall, bringing bookselling back to a space that was once a Borders Bookstore. The new store will have the extensive presentation of books expected of so large a store, as well as exclusive gifts, a large selection of curated toys and games, vinyl, newsstand and much more. The store offers a Barnes & Noble Café featuring an outdoor patio with stunning views. The new Costa Mesa, CA Barnes & Noble is located at 3333 Bear Street, Suite 340, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in the former Sports Chalet space.

The Costa Mesa Barnes & Noble bookstore will officially open to the public at 10AM Pacific time on Wednesday the 26^th , with local author Tahereh Mafi cutting the ribbon and signing copies of her newest book, Release Me (Deluxe Limited Edition). A very special costume character guest, generously provided by LEGO, will be in attendance to bring delight to book lovers and builders alike.

Additional special events will feature throughout the Grand Opening week, including storytimes, author signings, gifts with purchase, and giveaways. Featured vendors will include Moleskine Journals, LAMY pens, Ferris Wheel Press, and more.

The new Costa Mesa Barnes & Noble optimizes the architecture of the building and reflects the ambition of the bookseller to create bookstores of exceptional beauty. The Costa Mesa Mall bookstore establishes itself as a major flagship for Barnes & Noble.

Barnes & Noble Premium and Rewards Members will earn double stamps on all purchases made between August 26^th and August 30^th. Customers who are not yet Members are encouraged to sign up and start earning stamps and rewards right away.

Everyone who visits the new City Barnes & Noble during the grand opening will have access to exclusive deals, like $50 off any NOOK device. Customers can also save 40% on all DVD, Blu-ray, and 4k Ultra HD movies.

"The closure of the Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe Costa Mesa a decade ago was a major loss to the company and to the community," said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. "Now, we return to South Coast Plaza with a one-of-a-kind store that truly reflects our ambition as a bookseller and our respect for the caliber and culture of Costa Mesa."

Barnes & Noble is enjoying a period of tremendous growth as the strategy to hand control of each bookstore to its local booksellers has proven so successful. The bookseller is experiencing strong sales in its existing stores and has been opening many new stores after more than 15 years of declining store numbers, targeting 60 new stores opening in 2026. The Barnes & Noble in Costa Mesa is one of three stores to open on August 26^th, with two others opening in Orlando, FL and Lexington, KY. Barnes & Noble now boasts over 700 bookstores, having been below 600 stores as recently as 2023.

Store Manager Karen Cutler, who has been with Barnes and Noble for 31 years, worked at the old location in Costa Mesa and is ecstatic to be returning to the new store. She said, "Returning to Costa Mesa feels like coming home. It's incredibly rewarding to help bring Barnes & Noble back to this community. Building a new bookstore from the ground up has allowed me to be involved in every aspect of the process-I can't wait to open our doors."

Customers can discover more about upcoming events and news by following @bncostamesaca on social media.

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