Type: Independent
Region: Midwest
Location: Busy intersection leading into town

Appearance:
Inventory:
Staff: 0

External appearance: After getting off a major highway and being visually bombarded by signage through the retail corridor leading downtown, the store's corner spot beside a vast, uncluttered parking lot was a welcome pause. However, the store was part of a rather stale two-store, stand-alone center, brightened only by a decorative mural on the side of the building.

Window display: A few window-cling promotions decorated the large front window, but a sunshade-down even on a cloudy day-obscured the store's inviting interior. However, there was no confusion that the store was "open," as indicated by a lit neon sign.

Entrance: Multiple airlock doors led into the store, and the spacious vestibule had large windows and a garden bench-the first hint that this store was a gathering place for Christians in the community. Between the doors and windows of the vestibule were graffitied spots on the wall where anyone could post signs for childcare, roommates or concerts.

Layout and inventory: Past the front entrance, a makeshift clearance bin muddled the otherwise attractively displayed multitude of Christian prints, frames and gift items. It was enticing to bypass the store's main artery, which cut through the store and led to a centrally-located checkout counter, and instead meander through the sections of framed prints, greeting cards and books.

Among the angled bookshelves the stock seemed meager, and there were numerous empty spots. In some places entire shelves were bare, especially in the children's area. This area was corralled off by shelving, with a computer just outside the area to occupy older kids.

The music section was partitioned off, and a coffee shop-rivaling popular chains with its stylish décor and hip, homey presentation-was tastefully isolated in the front quarter of the store.

Interior appearance: Warm, with contemporary décor colors and nice lighting. Secured glass shelving, without the sense of being untouchably fragile, attractively bounced light to feature unique photo frames. The card section's distinct lighting would enable even seniors to read the decorative fine print on greeting cards.

However, there was an assault on the ears, if not the eyes-extended-play contemporary rock music blared from ceiling speakers, making it a challenge to recall a title or to search out the right book from among the meager offerings.

Staff: Noncommittal. Although there were as many employees as customers in the store, no frontliners offered greetings or help. I sought out an employee and asked for a novel for a 10-year-old voracious reader, assuming that nearly any Christian title could be suggested.

The young lady pointed to some books that are part of a large series and said, "I don't know what these are about." She asked her senior employee, but she hadn't read any of them either. The young staffer and I then went to the teen area, where the fiction was very slim and teen-issue related, and she said, "A lot of moms buy these."

"What are they about?" She didn't know.

Verdict: The messy entrance area was a turnoff. If the store wants to be a hub for its community, a simple bulletin board can convey that with professionalism. Inside, stock deficiencies could easily be concealed with product face-outs.

The store is obviously a destination for Christians in the community, but the extensive variety of gifts along with the samplings of books and music and an entire coffee shop overextend the knowledge of the staff. The lack of training was apparent-teaching employees to brew hot lattes is relatively simple, but teaching them how to sell books takes more work.

If this were your regular store? I'd stick with the reasonably priced coffee and special-occasion gift purchases.

Would a non-Christian feel comfortable here? Yes. The store seems like a Cheers for the coffee crowd. No one would fear getting thumped by the Bibles, which are safely placed in a far back corner. But, unfortunately, the staff's lack of presence means that unless you were a faithful regular, no one would know your name.

What will you remember of your visit a week from now? That I should go elsewhere if I want recommendations for good books.

THE STORE OWNER RESPONDS: The store owner declined to respond.

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