A grand opening date for the arrival of one of the most anticipated new businesses in Turlock in recent memory has been announced.
June 10 is when the doors of Barnes & Noble within the Monte Vista Crossing shopping center will officially open to the public. The largest retail bookseller is setting up shop at 2693 Countryside Dr., the former home of Forever 21.
The grand opening celebration will begin at 9 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony. On hand to sell beverages will be Albaster Coffee, a new business that plans on opening a storefront in downtown Turlock in the near future. Also making an appearance to sign for fans and community members will be USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Meagan Brandy.
Aside from books of all genres, the Turlock Barnes & Noble location will also include a wide variety of puzzles, boardgames, LEGO toys and physical media (music, movies, etc.).
The new bookstore has been posting renovation and opening updates on its new Instagram account, @BNTurlockCA.
“Turlock’s book lovers have waited a long time for this,” the city’s Economic Development Department posted on social media this week. “Barnes & Noble is more than just a bookstore — it’s a gathering place, a community hub, and a destination for readers of all ages.”
Barnes & Noble will mark the city’s first dedicated bookstore since Lightly Used Books closed its doors in March of 2025. The last national retail book chain to reside in Turlock was Borders, which was also in the Monte Vista Crossing shopping center until 2011, when the chain declared bankruptcy.
Barnes & Noble, meanwhile, now boasts over 700 stores across the country after having only 600 as recently as 2023. The 100 new stores have reversed more than 15 years of declining store numbers, according to the chain. James Daunt has led the turnaround after being appointed CEO in 2019 following the bookstore being acquired by the hedge fund Elliott Advisors.
The Turlock store is one of roughly 60 that Barnes & Noble expects to open nationwide this year after opening the same number in 2025.
