Miami, Fla. (July 29, 2002)
– Considered one of the central destinations on Florida
International University’s University Park, the FIU Bookstore
has just undergone ten months of renovations and expansions
to make it one of the biggest and most luxurious college bookstores
in Florida.
The FIU bookstore, owned and operated by Barnes & Noble
College Bookstores, Inc., has had an additional 12,000 square
feet added to the store on two levels, expanding it to almost
30,000 square feet at a cost of $5 million.
“Interior designers and architects used a variety of new
finishes and textures on the store’s floors, walls and
furniture to give the new bookstore a sleek and modern look,
which is as stylish as it is functional,” said Bookstore
General Manager Jim Brogan. “We also incorporated new
signage and graphics throughout the store to highlight the diverse
cultural population at FIU.”
A new entrance created for the bookstore will serve as a gateway
to the University. The new bookstore, enhanced to better serve
the thousands who utilize its services every year, now has an
expanded general book department, geared to serve the diverse
population on and around the campus; a larger textbook department;
and an expanded Panther Stop Marketplace where snacks, beverages
and convenience items are sold. The bookstore also boasts a
unique student lounge area equipped with lounge chairs, sofas,
Internet access and information on new products students may
be interested in learning more about.
In keeping with the tradition of many Barnes and Noble’s
bookstores, the FIU store now hosts a Starbuck’s Cafe
with 120 seating capacity on the second level overlooking the
campus. Students, faculty and community members can enjoy an
indoor or outdoor seating area as well as a TV viewing area
equipped with a forty-two inch TV. A large newsstand featuring
newspapers, magazines, foreign publications and periodicals
and a complete travel book section are also available on the
second level.
A grand opening celebration is scheduled for the FIU bookstore
during the early part of the fall semester.
Barnes & Noble was founded in 1873 and is one of the nation’s
largest booksellers. The company operates more than 450 campus
bookstores for many of the nation’s top schools including
Yale University, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania,
Columbia University, Texas A&M University, Georgia Tech,
University of North Carolina at Charlotte and at Greensboro,
Tulane University, University of Mississippi, Clemson University
and University of South Carolina. Barnes & Noble operates
12 other campus bookstores in Florida including those at University
of Central Florida, Florida Atlantic University and Eckerd College.
Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, Inc. is a privately held
sister company to Barnes & Noble, Inc. (the “Superstore”
company) and Barnesandnoble.com (the Internet company).