Other groups of investors in other university towns heard of this Logos Bookstore idea and decided that they wanted one too .
Two of those stores are still in existence : Logos of Dallas , adjacent to Southern Methodist University , is owned and managed by Rick and Susan Lewis . Logos of Kent Ohio , the home of Kent State University , is owned and managed by Ann and Shane Kardos . Both stores are also celebrating their 50th year !
The Association also assists new stores in opening by providing manager training and counsel with helpful advice . Advice for transitions in ownership can also be provided .
Over the years there have been several executive directors : Willard “ Butch ” Dickerson , who is retired from ABA , and Jeff Crosby , the current executive director of ECPA . For the past 26 years , Becky Gorczyca has served as executive director .
There have been dozens of Logos Bookstores around the country
There have been dozens of Logos Bookstores around the country , in Canada and the Bahamas . Some , but not all , are now located in university towns . Some , but not all , are named “ Logos .”
We know that there are hundreds of you who are in publishing who started your careers at a Logos Bookstore . Some of you are authors , too . And , some of your first visits as a rep may have been at Logos Bookstores .
Rick and Susan Lewis
As more stores opened , there became a need to form the Association of Logos Bookstores
As more stores opened , there became a need to form the Association of Logos Bookstores . Group marketing , initial and ongoing training and annual meetings were needed to grow and encourage the members . So , the “ Association ” was established in 1974 . And , that 50th anniversary is the third one we are celebrating this year !
The Association of Logos Bookstores is a member-owned trade association , not a franchise . That means that every store makes its own decisions and is encouraged to have its own personality based on the community it serves and the strengths and gifts of its ownership and staff .
There are large and small stores . There are stores in strip centers , in churches , in freestanding buildings , in colleges and in Victorian houses . We celebrate this uniqueness and meet together every summer to share ideas , prayer and encouragement with one another .
Shane and Ann Kardos
We would love to hear from you as we celebrate this year . So , as you reminisce , please write out your story and email it to becky @ logosbookstores . com . We ’ ll be compiling your stories , smiling and admitting that we all have a little ink running through our veins , even after all the years . CRA
For more information about Logos Bookstores , feel free to contact Becky Gorczyca at email : becky @ logosbookstores . com phone : 330.677.8086 website : logosbookstores . org
www . christianretailassociation . org / CRA today 13