Children are a group on which many Christian retailers place high priority, with stores including areas for them to read or watch videos.
One of the most popular videos for kids is “VeggieTales,” said Darrell Holcombe, manager of the Amen Corner in Pelham. He said the store plays video all day for children and adults and has even had characters from popular videos come to meet children at the store.
A miniature Noah’s ark is set up in Cokesbury Christian Bookstore in Vestavia Hills, as well as an area to watch videos, said Drew Jones, manager.
Even churches with smaller bookstores have areas for children. Briarwood Christian Store near Birmingham has puzzles, books and toys for kids to use.
The Encouraging Word Bookstore at First Baptist Church, Gardendale, doesn’t have a children’s area, but a redesign expected in the next month will include an area specially designed for younger children.
Michelle Monk, manager at the Parent-Teacher Store in Hoover said the play section keeps children occupied with toy cash registers, as well as educational supplies and other books.
Christian Johnson, manager of Christian Bible and Gift Shop in Fort Payne, said her store also carries “VeggieTales” video tapes for children and has a block table and coloring section.
Since Christian Bible and Gift Shop is a Hallmark store, the business incorporated the “Crayola Family Fun Day” weekend for Easter 1999. Johnson said the event was so popular that the store decided to make it an annual event.
American Girl parties are a hit at Harvest Field Christian Store in Athens, said manager Melanie Tidwell. She said the store has two parties each month, one during the day for home school children and one at night for the girls in public schools.
Matt Ruck, an employee for five years at Yates/Chance Christian Bookstore in Cullman, devotes a special corner to children that includes such items as books, plush toys and puppets. He said a television is located in the music area, but the store plays children’s videos in addition to the music videos.
Lynn Walker, owner of Oasis Christian Bookstore in Auburn, said she tries to “create (an) atmosphere that’s child-friendly.” A small area for children includes a table with puzzles and books, and Walker said she plans to start a story time sometime this year.
Jo Minton, manager of LifeWay in Montgomery, said the store held birthday parties for Jesus and had story times in December.
Central Christian Bookstore in Robertsdale has books as well as videos available to children to use, said manager Catherine Shelton. The store also has story times and reading clubs during the summer.
Share with others: