A regional chain in the Pacific Northwest, Christian Supply Centers (CSC) recently downsized, closing eight of its stores in September. The chain, owned by Oregon industrialist Robert Pamplin, still operates five stores in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Jim Shelley, manager of the chain's store in Spokane, Wash., replaced former General Manager Gunnar Simonsen, who departed the company prior to the store closings. Shelley, who was not available to comment, will lead CSC with increased focus on the five remaining stores in cites such as Beaverton, Ore.; Spokane, Wash.; and Cour d'Alene, Idaho.

Simonsen said he was thankful for his 14-year tenure at Christian Supply and for the new opportunity to "spread my wings." He added that there have been discussions of other regional chains—including Tree of Life and Rainbow West—showing interest in the areas where the Christian Supply stores were closed, notably the Portland, Ore., area.

"I have a heart for this region, and I want to see successful retail happen here," Simonsen told Christian Retailing. "It may look different, but at the end of the day, I'm hopeful for people still ready to support a Christian retail model in the Northwest."

Mark Schoepke—owner of Tree of Life Christian Outlet, which has seven locations in western Oregon—said no decisions has been made regarding any future expansion.

"Right now we are preparing for the Christmas retail season—that's taking up most of our time," said Schoepke, who also owns two Parable franchise stores. "Rents still remain very high in the Northwest."

Simonsen said a "viable strategy" may be needed for the area, focusing more on smaller stores "connected to the church community."

Dave Adams, owner of Salem, Ore.-based Rainbow West stores, praised Christian Supply's "excellent reputation in the community" and hoped the service would continue. Like Simonsen, Adams also believed the future of retailing in the area would be more viable with smaller stores.

"Ten years ago, bigger was better," he said. "I think the bookstores that succeed in the future need to be pretty lean and mean. The days of big-box bookstores (who carry everything), I think those days are, at least for now, over."

Adams said his chain was forced to close five stores in small towns that couldn't support them, but he expected sales from some of the closed Christian Supply locations to be absorbed by Tree of Life and Rainbow West. "In the majority of areas, it's been absorbed," he said.

Although the future may mean the addition of new stores, Adams said he felt the current retail landscape in the Northwest was a healthy one.

"We want other stores to succeed, and for us to compete—in any way—is disastrous," he said. "To put two stores close together is to come out with two failing stores. It may be that with those Christian Supply stores having closed, it will all sort of work out, even if some folks have to drive a little more to find a store."

• Prev
• Next