The grand opening of the new Barnes & Noble in the UT Gateway Project will be celebrated today with a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon Wednesday, July 11 at the corner of Dorr Street and Secor Road.

The Barnes & Noble, which offers best-sellers, bargain books and gifts as well as textbooks for students, will include a full-service Starbucks café, an expanded general reading area and a children’s area.

Dr. Tom Barden, dean of the UT Honors College, will sign his book titled Steinbeck in Vietnam 1-3 p.m. There also will be a book signing with one of UT’s mascots, Rocky, for his book titled Here’s Rocky!

Special appearances will be made by Rocky, Rocksy, Blue Crew and the UT cheerleaders, and entertainment will be provided by the University’s radio station WXUT.

“The opening of Barnes & Noble is a great way to kick off Gateway phase one and to showcase the institution’s commitment to creating a student-centered environment,” said Matt Schroeder, vice president for real estate and business development at The University of Toledo Foundation. “The Gateway Project will be a much-needed destination for students and help to stimulate investment within the Dorr Street commercial corridor.”

In addition to the Barnes & Noble bookstore, the Gateway Project will include Gradkowski’s Sports Grille, Jimmy John’s, Great Clips, YogurtU and other retailers. The upper floors are Lofts at Gateway apartments for UT students. The 48 units will house 112 students in two- and four-bedroom modern, fully furnished apartments.

Click here for more information on the grand opening celebration.

httpv://youtu.be/q-42Hx21_2c

Media Coverage
13 ABC, WNWO and WTOL 11 (July 12, 2012)
The Blade (July 12, 2012)