National bookseller is one of 5 new tenants moving to this Chapel Hill mall

A national bookseller will open its doors later this year in a recently vacated space at University Place mall in Chapel Hill.

Barnes & Noble is one of two new tenants announced Wednesday for the redeveloping mall on South Estes Drive. The other is Bliss Nail Spa, which will open a second location in a 1,695-square-foot space, owned and operated by Tommy Nguyen, this spring.

The spa, offering “elevated nail and self-care services,” will be located on the mall’s eastern side, where three additional tenants recently opened:

• SWTHZ: A modern wellness and recovery business offering infrared saunas, cold plunges and performance-focused amenities.
• VEG Emergency Vet: A 24/7 emergency veterinarian operating in an open-concept hospital where pet owners can stay informed and involved in their pet’s treatment and recovery.
• H&H Bagels: The New York-style bagel shop opened in January, adding fast-casual coffee, breakfast and lunch options to the mall.

“These five additions reflect the next phase of the center’s redevelopment and underscores our commitment to delivering experiences that resonate with the Chapel Hill community,” said Marni Sawicki, general manager at University Place.

“We’re thoughtfully curating a tenant mix that brings together sought-after national brands, beloved local businesses and inviting gathering spaces — reinforcing University Place as a go-to destination in an evolving retail landscape,” she said in a news release.

What to know about Barnes & Noble

• Barnes & Noble is moving into the 19,734-square-foot former Planet Fitness space on the north side of the mall, across the parking lot from Harris Teeter, Sawicki said.
• Planet Fitness closed its University Place location in late December and moved to the nearby Elliott Square shopping center at 257 S. Elliott Road.
• It’s the nation’s largest retail bookseller, also selling gifts, eBooks, audiobooks and toys, with an in-house café and an online bookstore at bn.com.
• Another freestanding Barnes & Noble store is located about three miles east in the New Hope Commons shopping center in Durham. Chapel Hill-Carrboro also has a handful of local booksellers: Golden Fig Books in Carr Mill Mall, Flyleaf Books on MLK Boulevard and Epilogue Books on Franklin Street

This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 10:50 AM.

Tammy Grubb

The News & Observer

919-829-8926

Tammy Grubb has written about Orange County’s politics, people and government since 2010. She is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumna and has lived and worked in the Triangle for over 30 years.