Baton Rouge readers finally have their Books-A-Million back. The retailer quietly soft-opened a new store at 3535 Perkins Road, next to Petco in the Acadian Village Shopping Center, on Oct. 28, and it's now gearing up for a full celebration with a ribbon cutting and a grand-opening event packed with character visits, giveaways and author appearances.
The roughly 8,000-square-foot store marks the chain's return to Baton Rouge after an eight-year gap, following the closure of its Towne Center location in 2018, according to The Advocate. That earlier Towne Center spot had been the only Books-A-Million in the area and occupied a 16,000-square-foot building before it shut down in early 2018, according to WAFB.
The official ribbon cutting is set for noon to 1 p.m. on Nov. 20, with the grand-opening celebration following the next day, Saturday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests at the grand opening can meet Princess Belle, get their faces painted, pick up balloon animals from a local balloon artist and catch author appearances, as reported by Yahoo News.
Gift Cards and Big Names on Hand
Books-A-Million plans to give away five $100 gift cards and one $500 gift card during the Nov. 21 event, per the same account. CEO Terrance Finley said the new location reflects the company's broader goals, stating, “This new Baton Rouge location reflects our ongoing investment in bringing people together through books and community.”
District manager Erica Brewer and regional vice president Holly Linden are expected to attend the grand opening. Linden said the store's local team plans to build relationships well beyond the opening weekend, noting, “The Baton Rouge team will partner with local schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations” on literacy activities and programs.
A New Face Behind the Counter
Among the staff greeting shoppers is Riley Long, a member of the new store's management team who told The Advocate she always wanted to work in a bookstore. Long said she applied as soon as she saw Books-A-Million was opening in Baton Rouge, and that she loves working there because of the books and the people.
Books-A-Million's return follows other movement in the local bookselling scene tied to the same parent company. 2nd & Charles, also owned by Books-A-Million, opened its Baton Rouge store at Acadian Village Shopping Center in January 2023, according to The Advocate. That store was scheduled to move by the end of July 2026 to a larger, 22,000-square-foot space at Siegen Lane Marketplace, double the size of its current location.
For now, shoppers eager for updates on the new Books-A-Million can find more details through the store's Instagram account, bambatonrouge, ahead of the Nov. 20 ribbon cutting and the Nov. 21 grand-opening festivities at 3535 Perkins Road.
