“ The comment we hear the most from customers is that every time they come into our store , they feel peace and the Holy Spirit . Recently , we ’ ve heard several children make comments to their parents such as : “ Mom , this is my favorite store ,” “ Mom , do you know Jesus loves you ?” “ When I grow up , I want to work here ” and “ My favorite people are in this store .”
-Mike and Jane Huffstuttler , Believer ’ s Christian Gifts , Rio Rancho , NM
“ More than once , when a customer overheard someone say he had his eye on something , the customer would buy the item for that person without wanting to take credit for it . Especially during the Christmas season , it ’ s a nice gift for customers to buy for others .”
-Charlene Wiggs , On The Third Day-Master ’ s Mercantile , Pottstown , PA
“ We were able to buy a large number of robes and clergy shirts when Murphy Robes sold their business . It has been a blessing to be able to provide these needed items when some members of clergy are now finding it hard to find them .
Customer : I drove miles to get here for these clergy shirts !
Me : We appreciate you . People come from as far as Norfolk and West Virginia .
Customer : It ’ s worth the drive when the building is alive ! We love our customers — they are so encouraging !”
-Cheryl Woodard , Vision Christian Store , Clinton , MD
“ Earlier this year , we had a customer who witnessed me listening to another customer . She had seen it before and decided to let us know how much she appreciated it . She purchased a card and a $ 75 gift card to a local restaurant and sent it to us . She wrote in her card , ‘ People talk about their problems ( grief , health issues , finances ) and you never brush them off . You all listen and make them feel loved and valued .’”
-Marie Prickett , Logos of Northern Kentucky , Alexandria , KY
“ This summer , our store celebrated four years in business , so we posted an anniversary notice on our Facebook page . What resulted from that post was a plethora of uplifting words of encouragement from people in our community that we didn ’ t even realize cared about our little shop . Here are just a few :
‘ Thankful to you for listening to His call and giving our community your store ! Happy 4th Birthday to a wonderful little store filled with inspiration .’
‘ Your store is much needed and very appreciated . Keep up the good service !’ ‘ Amazing how God works His plan in those willing to listen to His call . Congratulations and thank you !’
In the midst of the daily chaos of running a business and the pressures of overseeing this ministry , it is sometimes easy to forget that we are deeply valued by our community members and that God is , indeed , doing His work through us and all of the people we serve . How nice it was that a thing like social media could remind us of those truths !
-Joyce Barbatti , TJ ’ s Christian Bookstore , Cedar Falls , IA
www . christianretailassociation . org / CRA today 9