The store’s relocation “will ensure that local customers can continue to shop the best in books as Barnes & Noble aggressively searches for a permanent home on the island,” the announcement said.

The store at the Lahaina Gateway Center will close Sunday because of an expiring lease, store officials said. The new location will feature “a similar assortment of books and products.”

“Our dedicated team of booksellers in Maui is really excited to open the doors of this new location in Maui Marketplace to the community,” said Jim Lampassi, vice president of real estate development. “We invite everyone in Maui to stop by and browse our specially curated selection of books and products. The outpouring of support from the community as we tirelessly worked to find a new store in the area was heartwarming, and we can’t wait to continue to serve our loyal customers on the island.”

Last fall, the book retailer announced it would close the Lahaina location because of a lease dispute, but more than 1,000 people signed a save-the-store petition launched by Hannah Sheveland, then a Seabury Hall student.

Emily Bigoss prepares the children’s section for Monday’s opening. The Lahaina location at the Lahaina Gateway will close Sunday. • The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

This won’t be the first time the Maui Marketplace will have a bookstore. In 2011, Borders Music & Cafe closed there after its parent bookstore chain filed for bankruptcy.