Bookstores are experiencing a resurgence, and the expansive Gates of Prosper development is set to welcome Barnes & Noble. This will mark the first location in the town, situated just north of the intersection of Preston Road and US 380.
What Is The Gates of Prosper
The retail development is a project by Blue Star Land, the real estate company owned by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Covering more than 500 acres, this mixed-use development is projected to reach an estimated total value of nearly $1 billion upon completion. The plans also include the addition of 1,000 residential units, featuring a mix of apartments, single-family homes and townhouses.
The Gates of Prosper development initially began in the early 1990s when Jones began purchasing land. Construction of the shopping center began in 2016 at Preston Road and U.S. 380, with Walmart opening in 2018 as the first tenant. Phase two, launched in 2021, added stores like Kohl's, Hobby Lobby and HomeGoods. Phase three introduced Target with its modern store design.
The Revival of Bookstores
It’s official! Books are back. According to a study by the Harvard Business School, recent data shows a resurgence in the U.S. bookstore industry, with independent bookstores growing significantly post-pandemic. Barnes & Noble alone plans to open a total of 60 new stores by the end of 2024.
As Local Profile previously reported, Barnes & Noble opened its new store in Allen, on Oct. 2, 2024, at Watters Creek Village. Acclaimed author Julia Heaberlin attended the opening and hosted a book signing.
“I have been a Barnes & Noble bookseller for over 12 years now, and not a day goes by that I don’t look forward to meeting new readers, connecting with them, learning about them and introducing them to new stories,” Barnes & Noble Manager Pam Rasmussen said in an official statement.
But Barnes & Noble isn’t the only bookstore popping up around Collin County. In August, Neighbor Books opened in downtown McKinney. Neighbor Books is the only traditional independent bookstore in McKinney and the only one for miles, with the next nearest options being Interbang Books in Dallas or Recycled in downtown Denton.
What To Know About The New Stores
According to a Facebook post by Prosper Economic Development, construction officially began on Barnes & Noble, as well as Total Wine and REI.
As Local Profile previously reported, a 23,848-square-foot REI is anticipated to open in 2026. Proper EDC Executive Director Mary Ann Moon told Local Profile the other stores will open "tentatively Fall 2025," but could be earlier.
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