Cobb readers rejoice — new bookstore coming

A new bookstore is coming to Marietta.

Half Price Books, one of the nation’s largest family-owned new and used bookstore chains, will open a new location in Marietta on Thursday. It’s the Dallas company’s first foray into Georgia and brings its total store count to 127 locations in 17 states.

The 9,000-square-foot store is in East Cobb at 1205 Johnson Ferry Road. The bookseller also plans to open a store in Decatur around Labor weekend.

“We’re excited to introduce Half Price Books to the greater Atlanta area,” Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for the chain, said in a statement. “Our stores are very unique and offer a different inventory than other major retail bookstores. We know Atlanta booklovers will love browsing our shelves to find their next read at a great price.”

The opening of a brick-and-mortar bookstore is a rarity in a segment that has been under immense competition from online sellers such as Amazon and Apple.

To attract customers, Half Price Books will offer the first 100 customers each day of the opening weekend a tote bag and $5 HPB gift card. Customers can also visit http://b.hpb.com/win to enter for a chance to win books for a year.