Crowds flocked to Chicago’s South Side Wednesday morning for the grand opening of a major bookstore.
“We’re excited. We’re excited to be here.”
We’re inside of the bustling new Barnes and Noble in the Hyde Park Shopping Center, where manager Raquel Watkins is in a sea of fellow booklovers.
“It’s been great to hear their stories about how they miss the bookstores in the area, one as big as Borders. It’s just super exciting to be in this community and see their excitement for books.”
That Borders location closed in 2011, and now, the more than 18 thousand square foot Barnes and Noble hopes to fill the gap with books, magazines and games galore.
Author Lindsay Currie was busy signing copies of her new book.
“This has been absolutely magical. And knowing that this is already being received so well on the first day. The energy in here, you can feel it right when you walk in.”