The City of Brownsville is marking a major milestone in retail and quality-of-life development with the opening of the largest Barnes & Noble in the Rio Grande Valley.
The new 25,000-square-foot store at Sunrise Mall drew large crowds on opening day, with a line wrapping from the entrance and stretching along the outside of the mall. The bookstore, which replaces the former Wave clothing store, is part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the mall.
“Seeing that line wrap around the building tells you everything. Brownsville loves to read,” City Manager Helen Ramirez, ICMA-CM, AICP said. “We’re a young, educated community, and this store gives our families a space to learn, explore and come together.”
Inside, customers will find one of the most extensive selections in the region, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s literature, educational materials, magazines, games and gifts. The store also features a full-service café and a large Spanish-language section to serve Brownsville’s diverse community.
City officials said the addition represents continued progress in expanding Brownsville’s economic opportunities.
“As we continue to open up a lot of businesses, it allows our city to diversify itself and really provide different ways of living in our community,” City Commissioner District 1 Bryan L. Martinez said.
The bookstore is expected to become a gathering space for local families, with plans for children’s story times, author visits and book clubs to create new opportunities for residents to connect and engage.
City Commissioner District 3 Gustavo De León said the turnout reflects long-standing demand for a major bookstore in the city.
“This was long overdue, and to see a line outside is incredible,” De León said. “It means that we needed one, and Brownsville is growing — and there is no stopping us,” said De Leon.
Other city leaders emphasized the significance of Barnes & Noble choosing to invest in Brownsville.
“Across the country malls are declining, but here in Brownsville we’re seeing the opposite,” City Commissioner District 2 Linda C. Macias said. “Our community supports local retail, and that’s why companies like Barnes & Noble choose to invest here.”
The grand opening marks another step in Brownsville’s efforts to expand retail options and strengthen its cultural and educational landscape.
“It sends a strong message that we are the largest city in the Rio Grande Valley,” City Commissioner At-Large “A” Tino Villarreal said. “And the future is here in Brownsville.”
With expanded offerings, bilingual selections and community programming, the new Barnes & Noble is expected to become a regional destination and a significant addition to Brownsville’s cultural and economic growth.
