A former Cokesbury store in North Carolina was acquired by the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center and re-opened with a new name earlier this month. Terms of the acquisition were not released.

Located in Lake Junaluska, N.C., the Lake Junaluska Bookstore and Cafe will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 5.

"We offer a full slate of organic and fair trade coffees, fresh lemonade, tea, pastries, books, gifts and more," said Craig Bishop, director of retail sales at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. "We will also host book signings by local and international authors. Two are already on the calendar."

The store features "products with a purpose" such as scarves and swing purses made in India, and cards made from recycled paper by Filipino girls and Rwandans, who receive a portion of the profits.

"We offer fair trade items as well as local products made by local artists," said Bishop, noting that locally made items include pottery, carved wooden items and jewelry.

"I think the atmosphere, with the uniqueness of the coffee bar and gift shop, is a good balance and combination," he said. "We're not totally dependent on books. We are here for the community and our conference guests as well." 

The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH), Cokesbury's parent company, closed all of the historic chain's 57 stores April 30. The UMPH board of directors announced the move in November, deciding that the CokesburyNext retail division will sell through www.Cokesbury.com, the Cokesbury Call Center and through its more than 40 sales representatives, as well as conferences, meetings and church events.

Visit www.lakejunaluska.com/bookstore for more information.

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