The Parable Group honored its franchise stores with awards for excellence in retailing at its annual franchise meeting June 22 in St. Louis, ahead of the International Christian Retailing Show (ICRS). Parable recognized various successes by store owners, honoring 11 stores for achieving excellence in Sales, Customer Service and Industry Impact.

"In the midst of the challenging economy, we celebrate that a number of stores have seen increases in sales," said John Strifler, Parable marketing and operations coach. "The Sales Increase Award is simply that—recognition for the store that showed the most positive sales increase in 2012."

The Sales award went to Matt Mitzel, owner of the Rainbow Shop in Bismarck, N.D.; Patti Franks and Leslie Farthing, owners of Kihei Christian Bookstore in Kihei, Hawaii; Mitch and Aaron Kastein, owners of Beacon of Hope in Springfield, Ohio; and Kevin and Jill Van Duyne, owners of Joy Christian Bookstore in Wabash, Ind. Honorable mention was given to Gary Hoffman, owner of Rainbow Parable Christian Store in Colonial Heights, Va.

In the category of Customer Service Excellence, Parable recognized Sam and Judy Walker, owners of Sonlight Parable Christian Store in Sheboygan, Wis. Honorable mention went to John and Deborah King, owners of Heaven's Attic, A Parable Christian Store in Rome, Ga.

"Customer opinion matters and these stores have served them well," said Steve Adams, Parable operations director.

Four stores were presented with Parable Industry Impact Awards for "renewing the hope" for all in the ministry of Christian retail. The stores "invested in their future through relocating and expanding their stores," Parable said.

The Impact awards went to Danny Vera of Christ Centered Life Store in Ft. Myers, Florida, who relocated and renamed his store; Frank and Marilyn Hood, owners of Sweet Spirit, A Parable Christian Store in Marietta, Ga., who relocated their store; Deidre and Lorre Pagni, owner of His Word Parable Christian Store in Sparks and Reno, Nev., who relocated two stores within two years; and Jim and Kathie Kregel, owners of Kregel Parable Christian Stores, who opened a P. Graham Dunn gallery store as an extension and expansion of their store in Grandville, Mich.

Parable also named P. Graham Dunn as the 2013 Vendor Partner of the Year at ICRS.

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