Not every store can boast a best-selling author as a regular visitor and customer, but that is the case for Life's Simple Blessings in Greensboro, Ga.

Germaine Copeland, author of the best-selling "Prayers That Avail Much" series, lives in the area and teaches a Bible study in the store each Tuesday morning before it opens. The central sitting and reading area in the store run by owner Carolyn Danson and her son David—is temporarily stacked with more chairs.

"I love the light and atmosphere," said Copeland of the store. "When you walk in, you are met with a genuine greeting and soon recognize this is a place where you can make a quick purchase or a place where you can linger.

"Most every week I browse through the books. ... I purchase most of my greeting cards and gifts and love the convenience and the gift wrapping. The customer service is the best."

Books made up more than half the inventory in 2007 when Carolyn Danson bought the 1,750-square-foot strip-mall Christian store where she had previously been on staff, fulfilling a long-held dream to own her own Christian bookstore. But while they remain an important part of the store's ministry, "you can't pay the bills with just books," David Danson said.

So the Dansons have steadily increased their range of inspirational gifts, finding there not only the margin that helps financially, but also a range of attractive products that draws in new customers.

Read the complete Star Store profile in the January issue our Inspirational Gift Mart magazine.

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