A Georgia bookstore preps for its grand opening; a Cleveland bookstore launches a magazine and adds record shop; a South Carolina bookseller celebrates his 50th year on the job; and more.

Half Price Opens in Decatur on Thursday: The national independent chain is opening its second Georgia bookstore, following one in Marietta in May. The first 100 customers at the 7,0000 sq. ft. bookstore will receive a free tote bag and a $5 gift card.

Guide to Kulchur Adds Record Shop & Magazine: Three-year-old Cleveland bookstore Guide to Kulchur, a cooperative project founded by Lyz Bly and writer R.A. Washington, has expanded with the publication of a monthly culture magazine and a new record shop.

B&N Takes Over Student Stores at UNC: Although the name is the same, in July Barnes & Noble College took over management of the University of North Carolina’s Student Stores, which had been run by the university for the past 100 years. There has been some remodeling and the appointment of the first female director in the stores’ history. “It doesn’t feel like we’re building something brand new,” director Michele Gretch Carter told the Daily Tarheel. “It’s that we’re part of something that was great and hopefully that we can continue continue to support to make it something that the campus really feels we’re serving well.”

McCaslan’s Owner Celebrates First 50 Years: August 15th marked owner Alvin Rankin’s 50th year at the Greenwood, S.C., bookstore, where he began working at the age of 15. The store will celebrate another milestone in December, its 95th anniversary.

Mockingbird Books Closing Aug. 27: After eight years, the Seattle children’s bookstore is shutting its doors. Owner Alyson Stage said that the turning point came two or three years ago when customers had difficulty finding parking because of new development and more readers started shopping online.