The Christian Bookstore
Owner: Andrew Mattox
Locations: 210 E. Fourth Ave., Franklin
900 N. Main St., Suffolk
Phones: 757.562.3388 (Franklin)
757.539.4150 (Suffolk)
Websites: www.franklinchristianbooks.com
www.suffolkchristianbooks.com
Andrew Mattox is doing his part to bring literature to the masses—or at least the good people of Suffolk, Franklin and the surrounding areas. After purchasing The Christian Bookstore in Suffolk five years ago, Andrew decided to consolidate his operations and used leftover materials from that store to open a new store in Franklin.
“We downsized our store in Suffolk to deal with the recent changes in the economy,” says Mattox. “With the leftover shelving and the opportunity to operate a new store with minimal overhead, we were able to expand to Franklin to better serve that area.” The Franklin store has been open since November 2009 and makes it far more convenient for people to have access to a bookstore.
Both stores carry essentials such as bibles and Christian-based books, cards, study aids, movies and music, in addition to Sunday School curricula and church supplies. The Suffolk store also offers a line of inspirational and Christian gifts that are suitable for all occasions.
But your options don’t end there. “I can order non-Christian titles and act as a bookstore if there is a title someone wants that we don’t have in stock. So if someone comes in and needs a copy of Charlotte’s Web and a Webster’s Dictionary, I can get those for them,” says Mattox. “We can order just about anything as long as it doesn’t appear to go against our beliefs or what we’re trying to do. We’ll order a book and act as a point of contact just like a regular bookstore. I think that’s especially important in Franklin since there isn’t another bookstore around. My websites are linked to my distributor’s website so people can see what I’m able to provide to them. I have over two million titles to choose from. We order three times a week and normally can have items delivered within three to five business days.”
Andrew’s idea to expand his business to Franklin is due in part to his relationship with Bronco. “I’ve been a Bronco member for more than 10 years,” he says. “I joined when I was trying to buy my first vehicle. At the time, loan rates everywhere else were rather high. But I had a family member who was a member, so I was able to put $5 into a savings account and join myself. Bronco was able to blow the other rates right out of the water, so I moved all of my accounts there and have been a member ever since.”
Convenience, good products and great member service are some of the points that convinced Andrew that he made the right decision to become a member. “It’s just easy,” he says. “Member service is always good, always delightful and it’s fast, easy and convenient. Additionally, when I go into any Bronco office, it doesn’t seem like it’s all about the money. I’m not a number or a dollar sign. I’m a member that gets taken care of.”
For those of you who don’t know that The Christian Bookstore has opened in Franklin, the shop is located in the front showroom of Drake Tire in Downtown Franklin. The Suffolk store is located in the Chick-fil-A/Big Lots shopping center.
