Name of Business: The Christian Bookstore

Street Address: 210 E. Fourth Ave. Franklin — inside the front showroom of Drake Tire

Phone Number: (757) 562-3388

Operating Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Email Address: franklinchristianbooks@yahoo.com

Web site: www.franklinchristianbooks.com

Nature of Business: Sells books, Bibles, cards, CDs, DVDs, Bible covers, church supplies, bulletins, study aids, communion supplies, robes, curriculum

Owner/Manager: Andrew Mattox, co-owner and manager

Year Founded: Suffolk store originally started in 1974. Franklin store established in 2009

Prior Locations: We also have a store located in the city of Suffolk.

Number of employees: Franklin: 2, Suffolk: 4

How’s Business? Our business in Franklin is new, but we have already seen much excitement about our Franklin location. We already have close to 300 fans on our Facebook page, with lots of encouraging comments.

One thing you wish everyone knew about your business: This is not just a business, it’s a ministry of the Lord’s. We like to pay the bills, but it is not about money. We want to introduce people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and provide the local churches and people with the products they need to operate and increase their faith. We also can order all kinds of books, not just Christian books, as long as they do not go against our beliefs.

Something you offer that a customer won’t find elsewhere: Knowledge and customer service about the products and services we offer. You can go shopping at the big stores, but try asking them for help finding what you need. We will go over and beyond to help you find and get what you are looking for and need! We place special orders three times per week and usually have orders in three to five business days.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: Quote I recently heard and embraced: “Work like everything depends on you, and pray as if it all depends on the Lord.”

Your first job: Mitchell’s Supermarket — cashier and stock clerk.

Your role model: Jesus Christ is the only true role model. Everybody else is flawed

The key to a successful business is: Great customer service is the key. We want to treat our customers the same way we would like to be treated if we were in their shoes.