Baker Book House, a historic independent Christian bookstore in Grand Rapids, Mich., will mark its new look with a "Grand Opening Week" celebration, starting today. The store is managed by Sue Smith, who is the newly named chair-elect of CBA.

The festivities will feature a ribbon cutting today by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, visits by authors William Lane Craig, James Dobson and Wanda Brunstetter, and other events throughout January, including an appearance by singer and author Babbie Mason.

After nearly 12 months of renovations, a soft opening of its retail space in November brought 250 guests into the store to talk with best-selling author Ted Dekker. On Jan. 15, Baker Book House's driveway, warehouse and loading dock opened.

"We have recreated everything," Smith told Christian Retailing. "From carpeting to lighting, from adding event space to installing a fireplace. The store is completely new."

What began as a remodeling project to replace dated and worn carpeting, wall coverings and display units became a total reconstruction of the store starting last March, which included moving the entrance, adding a café and revamping every aspect of the 28,000-square-foot space. Founded by Herman Baker as a used bookstore in 1939, the family-owned store expanded from 16,000 square feet.

The used book section, while in a different location in the store, still carries 100,000 titles and is still bare-bones when it comes to décor. The store now features an ICONS Cafe.

Click here for more information on Baker Book House, and see our February issue for a full feature, complete with photos of the newly renovated store.

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