DALLAS (March 5, 2009)— Despite a downturn that has many retail companies shuttering stores across the nation, Half Price Books continues to grow with its latest location slated to open on Thursday, March 12 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The opening marks the bookseller's 102nd location and its fifth store in Indiana.

The new store, located at 533 East Coliseum Boulevard, occupies 7,800 square feet in the Coliseum Shoppes shopping center, and will celebrate its official opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Additionally, the first 100 customers in the store each day of the grand opening weekend (Thursday through Sunday) will receive a free tote bag stuffed with a $5 gift card. One lucky bag each day will contain a $200 gift card. The special grand opening hours are 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. everyday of opening weekend.

"Because we buy and sell used books, DVDs and music in addition to new merchandise, we've become an attractive option to those needing a little pocket cash and those looking for cheaper forms of entertainment," said Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive vice president of Half Price Books. "You can browse in a Half Price Books store for a couple of hours and leave with a month's worth of entertainment for less than the cost of going to the movies."

Half Price Books is looking forward to being a part of the community in Ft. Wayne. "We're thrilled about the potential of the Ft. Wayne store, not only from a sales perspective, but from what we have to offer the community," said Tony Warmus, district manager for Half Price Books. "I know the residents in Ft. Wayne are going to be happy with what we do, and with what they can find in our store."

The Ft. Wayne store will be open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, and will offer new and used books, magazines, comics, records, cassettes, videos, CDs, DVDs and collectible items.

Half Price Books is the largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain with more than 100 retail locations in 15 states. Stores are open seven days a week and buy and sell new and used books, magazines, comics, records, CDs, DVDs and collectible items. Half Price Books has been dedicated to environmental and literacy efforts for 36 years and supports hundreds of local, national and international programs. Each year the company sponsors the Half Pint Library Book Drive at each of its stores, donating thousands of books to hospitals and clinics throughout the United States. Half Price Books is a founding contributor to Laura Bush's National Book Festival, a continuing supporter of the National Center for Family Literacy, and the founder of the environmental website BecomeGreen.org. For more information about Half Price Books, its store locations and corporate initiatives, please visit www.halfpricebooks.com.