All Lifeway stores to be shut down by end of year

[Jerome]

SBC's LifeWay to close all stores in 2019

"LifeWay Christian Resources announced Wednesday (March 20) it will close all 170 of its brick-and-mortar stores this year....'The decision to close our local stores is a difficult one,' LifeWay acting President and CEO Brad Waggoner said in the announcement."

"LifeWay Christian Resources had announced in January it would reduce its number of retail locations.... [but] current market projections convinced the company that keeping any stores open is 'no longer a viable option,' Waggoner said."

 

[church mouse guy]

Too bad. Lifeway has a nice store in Indianapolis but it is 20 miles of very heavy traffic from me so I haven't been there for perhaps five years. We had a Berean store downtown but it closed years ago. I never shopped much at Family Bookstores. Lifeway may be the last Protestant bookstore open in the Indianapolis area. Too bad.

 

[Reformed1689]

Yeah it is a shame that there just aren't Bible Book Stores anymore.

 

[Rob_BW]

I enjoyed taking my kids to the one in Fayetteville. Sad to see them do it, but not surprised .

 

[SovereignGrace]

I enjoyed taking my kids to the one in Fayetteville. Sad to see them do it, but not surprised .

Arkansas?

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

With the closing of Christian bookstores in our area, our church's Christian bookstore has really stepped up to fill in the gap. It is normally open on Sunday morning, Wednesday morning (we host one of the largest Bible Study Fellowships in the area that day) and Wednesday evenings. Plus, the proceeds go to fund missions. An overall win-win.

 

[Jerome]

The squawkers at the Pullet and Hen blog are rejoicing at the news:

Praise God. Lifeway to Close All Stores! – Pulpit & Pen

"Lifeway is the largest retailer of heresy in the world. It is also the retail and sales arm of the Southern Baptist Convention."

"Lifeway received criticism heavily during the Pulpit & Pen inspired #the15 movement....Now...Lifeway is scuttling all of its stores in an attempt to remain solvent."

"While the retailer will still be schilling heresy online, you will no longer have to drive by and see a Lifeway store.

"praise God that Southern Baptists will no longer have their retail outlet selling heresy on the street corner like drug dealers."

 

[Rob_BW]

Arkansas?

North Carolina

 

[SovereignGrace]

North Carolina

Watch out for #BBN

 

[Reynolds]

SBC's LifeWay to close all stores in 2019

"LifeWay Christian Resources announced Wednesday (March 20) it will close all 170 of its brick-and-mortar stores this year....'The decision to close our local stores is a difficult one,' LifeWay acting President and CEO Brad Waggoner said in the announcement."

"LifeWay Christian Resources had announced in January it would reduce its number of retail locations.... [but] current market projections convinced the company that keeping any stores open is 'no longer a viable option,' Waggoner said."

The store in my area is so poorly run that it's no surprise it's closing. If it is indicative of the chain, it's no surprise they are all going under. Things being priced wrong annoy me. Almost nothing in the store rang up for the price it had on it. They might sell more Bibles if the customer knew it was $39.99 instead of $89.99.

 

[church mouse guy]

The store in my area is so poorly run that it's no surprise it's closing. If it is indicative of the chain, it's no surprise they are all going under. Things being priced wrong annoy me. Almost nothing in the store rang up for the price it had on it. They might sell more Bibles if the customer knew it was $39.99 instead of $89.99.

The one in Indy is okay. I am wondering why Lifeway does not keep profitable stores open?

 

[Deacon]

Christian bookstores became sellers of novelty items.
Selling only books just couldn’t keep stores profitable.
I haven’t been to a bookstore in a longtime, Amazon’s selection is so broad and shopping is so easy.
Lifeway and others just can’t compete.

Rob

 

[alura acker]

But why? Is there any reason?

 

[church mouse guy]

But why? Is there any reason?

Thanks!

Loss of money. I think they lost $35,000,000 last year. I would think that some stores would make money. Maybe they should merge with Hobby Lobby.

 

[alura acker]

I agree with you, but its really sad news.

 

[church mouse guy]

I agree with you, but its really sad news.

Yes, it really is sad news. Lifeway has been the best Christian bookstore around here. The SBC is weak in Indianapolis, unfortunately. The store here is located in the Castleton neighborhood in northeast Indianapolis, but people are moving out of the city and the suburbs do not have many SBC churches. I still think that the Indianapolis store must be profitable. There are many nice things for children. Indianapolis is so spread out and traffic is always heavy.

 

[Reformed1689]

A lot of the Lifeway stores were in terrible locations as well. Location, Location, Location, really does matter.