A longtime, award-winning Christian store in Rochester, Minn., has rebounded after its roof collapsed, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Customers, local businesses and well-wishers from as far away as England as well as CBA and vendors rallied around in support for Christian Book & Gift Shop--which saw a section of its roof fall Jan. 23, snapping a water pipe and flooding parts of the store.

The incident forced the store to close for about six days, re-opening in a much smaller space. The store also owns an adjoining building, which it used while the collapsed part was under reconstruction.
Mulholland said there was "a silver lining" from the roof collapse as the store was able to acquire new tile and carpet, and it made layout changes in remodeling--due to be finished June 1.

"God is giving us our hearts' desires through this difficulty," she said. "I'm sure the media coverage (of the roof collapse) was seen by many who don't shop our store. Our building has been a pretty plain box for years, and we thought a nicer-looking front would be good advertising. Insurance covers redoing the whole front. We are confident that it will be a positive influence in attracting people."

Christian Book & Gift Shop--which started in 1957--was named among the "Top 25 Christian Stores" in 2000 by Christian Retailing magazine and was CBA Store of the Region three times.

Read more in the June issue of Christian Retailing magazine.

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