There is new two-generation ownership of a long-standing independent Christian bookstore.

John Desaulniers Jr. and his two sons, Joseph and Wesley, have taken over Wellspring Christian Resources in Urbandale, Iowa, from Bev Channell and her daughter, Kelly Maigaard. The pair had bought the former Boone's Book and Bible Store—which dates back to 1943—17 years ago.

The purchase marks a return to the store for Desaulniers, who worked there for four years until 2004, when he joined B&H Publishing Group as a sales representative. He lost his job there last fall in a downsizing move.

Channell said that the decision to sell the store followed the death of her husband in 2009 and her daughter's sickness, which had left her unable to work for more than a year. "We firmly believe that God led us into it, led us through some great times and some not-so-good times, and now we can see His hand in leading us out," Channell told Christian Retailing.

"We feel very blessed that John came on the scene as I was proactively planning to pursue the sale. ... He is a good friend and he has a passion for the independent bookstore."

Desaulniers is general manager of the store, while Joseph and Wesley—with whom he formed limited company Aldertree Enterprises, for the purchase—oversee sales and human resources and operations, respectively.

With stints at Moody Bookstore in Chicago and the former Riverside Distributors during his near-30 years in the industry, Desaulniers said that he was aware of but undaunted by the challenges facing independent Christian retailers.

Read more in the June issue of Christian Retailing.

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