How does it feel to sit in a room full of vision and dreams for the future?
We had 17 stores attend the new store class at the recent Winter CPE show. As we opened, we went around the room and shared our hearts and where the Lord was leading. There were tears and laughter and a lot of similar challenges.
So in this day of fierce competition with online ordering and an ever-changing industry, is it surprising to see elevated interest in opening a new store?
I’ ve worked in the industry for over 35 years. Over time, I worked for two different distributors, assisting 300 + new stores in opening their doors. Yes, there was a time when we experienced this number of stores who were interested in stepping out into the water, but it’ s been a while. It’ s exciting to see a hunger for God’ s Word and to see new owners begin the process of opening a store.
It’ s exciting to see a hunger for God’ s Word and to see new owners begin the process of opening a store
Among those who attended, there were those who were just getting started, some who had just opened, and even a couple who had been open for a while and were considering opening another location or were just there to possibly pick up or share great ideas.
I want to share a few of those stories.
Jesse and April Spence are opening The Dwelling Place. They live in Lincoln, DE, and are hoping to open in May. April shared that opening a Christian coffee shop, book and gift store that could be a gathering place for her community had been on her heart for 20 years. Her mother was saved in a coffee shop, and that was the beginning of her story. When she was younger, April also had an influential restaurant owner open the doors to her business for youth to meet there. That love of gathering and sharing lived in April’ s heart, and she desired to be that type of person to others someday. April said that God has“ flung open the doors” and that she and Jesse are just following His leading. Her dream is to have the coffee shop available for Bible studies and gatherings, providing a space for seekers and fellow Christians to share. April said that she believed that“ the dream is an imprint that God puts in your heart.” After Jesse and April made the firm decision to move forward, some friends told them about a space in a town nearby, and the rest is history.
brick & mortar
Elvera Gleason( Vera) celebrated the grand opening of Culpeper Christian Store on March 18. She opened with a soft open February 28. Last July, Vera and her husband, Dwayne, decided to follow the call to open a store because Vera loved making items to sell and give away. Her love for Christian products led to Dwayne finding a great location. Doors just opened up and they were able to fulfill their dream. They also plan to open their space for small groups, Praise & Paint parties and more. Vera shared,“ Already, customers are telling me that they can feel the presence of God when they walk through the door.”
Elvera Gleason
Monica Newman had felt the leading to open a Christian store for the past two and a half years. There was a store in Lawrenceburg, TN, many years ago, but it had closed. Her community needed a place to buy a Bible and feel the presence of God. Even though Monica felt God’ s leading, she needed someone to help her. When she shared her heart with her brother, Jason Luffman, he said he was willing to come alongside her and assist. Monica shared that both she and her brother had recent family losses( parents, and even health issues), but those things made the desire to have a“ haven” for others to come and feel the peace of God even more important. They currently plan to be open in April under the store name“ Heavenly Grace.” Monica shared,“ If someone can’ t afford a Bible, I want to be able to give them one. If someone is hungry, I want to be able to feed them.” continued on page 14 >>
www. christianretailassociation. org / CRA today 13