LifeWay opens new store in Trussville

LifeWay Christian Stores opened its newest store in Trussville Feb. 28, with a grand opening celebration set for March 10.
   
Only a few days before, the sand-colored building on Highway 11 near Trussville’s new Super Target had housed only empty display racks and unpacked boxes of merchandise. But in a cooperative effort that involved LifeWay personnel from the top of the corporate ladder down, the store was ready to open on time.
   
Stocked with a wide selection of biblically-based books, music, cards, gifts and apparel, as well as Bibles and church supplies, the new LifeWay store is a welcome addition to the ever-expanding Trussville retail market.
   
Features of the store include a large children’s section and a special pastors’ reference area.
   
According to Tom Tjornehoj, a LifeWay public relations coordinator, the 10,000-square-foot Trussville store is larger than the average LifeWay Christian Store.
   
“The retail center involved and the perceived need for our products and services weigh into the determination of what size is appropriate,” he said.
   
Tjornehoj emphasized that the metro Birmingham area has been a high priority market for LifeWay for many years. With only one other store in the area (located in the Wildwood Shopping Center on Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood), the new facility fulfills the need for a retail outlet of Southern Baptist products and services convenient to churches and members in the northern and eastern areas of Jefferson County. LifeWay also has stores in Dothan, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile, with a total of six stores in Alabama.
   
Manager Kerrie Ledbetter is happy with LifeWay’s decision to locate in Trussville. Although she transferred from the Charleston, S.C., store, Ledbetter is a native Alabamian who grew up in First Baptist Church, Remlap.
   
“I saw from personal experience that (people from) my church would have to drive a long way to get to the Birmingham store,” she said.
   
The weeklong grand opening celebration will begin March 10 with appearances by “Little Dogs on the Prairie” characters, a live remote broadcast by WMJJ/96.5FM radio and a book signing by Calvin Miller, a professor at Beeson.
   
On March 17, “VeggieTales” characters Bob and Larry will greet customers as WQCR/1500AM covers the celebration live from the store. Special discounts, giveaways and treats will also be featured.
   
In a recent press release, Mark Scott, president of LifeWay Christian Stores, noted, “We are excited about the opportunity to partner in ministry with our SBC constituents, as well as other Christians.”