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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — The wait is finally over for area book lovers.
After a months-long restoration and renovation process, the Barnes & Noble devastated by last June’s tornado in the Arena Hub Plaza is back open for business.
“We wanted to get our home base back,” said store manager Larry Fama. “The outpouring and concern from the community really showed how important we are here.”
Fama predicted patrons will like the upgrades to the interior.
“We remodeled the cafe and added seating around the store for our customers’ leisure,” he explained.
Management, employees, guests and some curious customers were on hand to see Fama cut the red ribbon to signal the store’s reopening Tuesday night.
“It began with a tornado and it ends with a snowstorm,” laughed assistant store manager Sean Yustat. “We are just glad to be back.”
The public can enter the remodeled space when doors open at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
A portion of book sales from Tuesday night’s festivities will go to the Keystone State Literacy Association of Luzerne County.
‘It’s wonderful’
At a time when bookstores are closing at a rapid pace, officials say the reopening of the brick-and-mortar location signals a commitment to the community.
“We are here to stay,” said Christina Reed, the chain’s regional vice president for the Northeast. “We stayed with the old layout but added some new features we think customers will like.”
The video and music section that was previously at the rear of the store has been replaced by a toys and game section. The music section has moved to the middle of the store.
Meanwhile, the seven-month renovation has served as a healing process for Joe Stager.
“I’ve had a lot of time to decompress,” said Stager, Barnes & Noble sales inventory manager. “I’m lucky I have a very strong family and girlfriend who I could turn to.”
When the EF-2 tornado ripped through the store, Stager shielded fellow employees near the register who were in fear for their lives.
“I acted in the moment,” he recalled. “I didn’t have time to think. I was concerned the roof was going to collapse.”
Stager is still amazed everyone got through it unscathed.
“I still can’t believe no one was injured,” he said. “When we walked around the store, seeing glass and shrapnel all over, it was sad. Had I been in the back of the store, who knows if I’d still be here.”
Stager was honored by Barnes & Noble last year for protecting his colleagues during the vicious weather.
“It’s been a real team effort,” he said. “I didn’t think we were going to be back. So much work has gone into the reopening. It’s wonderful.”
Over the last few months, Barnes & Noble had been operating at a temporary location in the East End Center.
