Despite a still-weak economy, two independent Christian retailers have opened second locations in order to fill a void and offer "a ministry" to their communities. CBA's new head has praised the store expansions as an example of how well-run small businesses can out-serve their larger competitors.

Fran Cantwell opened His Word Christian Bookstore in Newark, Ohio, in February. Cantwell--who also owns and operates a store with the same name located approximately 30 miles away in Johnstown, Ohio, where she lives--said she felt compelled to open the 900-square-foot store, sandwiched between a pizza shop and a women's workout facility in a small strip mall.

"I opened the store because God led me to do so," Cantwell told Christian Retailing. "I have seen God's leading in every decision of the business."

Mindy Uitermarkt-who opened Stepping Stones Christian Bookstore in Marshalltown, [The Web site, www.steppingstonesweb.com, says New Sharon and Grinnell, so she must have three stores.] Iowa, last month-said that she also felt prompted by God after she was urged by a friend last fall to launch the 1,900-square-foot store.

"Although technically a for-profit business, it has more of a nonprofit mission-which is to help people along their faith walk," said Uitermarkt, who also owns a store with the same name located approximately 35 miles away in Grinnell and New Sharon, Iowa.

CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey said Cantwell and Uitermarkt both "understand the role Christian stores play in supporting the church, providing resources to grow individual faith walks and providing a place of community that changes people and changes the culture."

"It is always a good sign that Christian stores are opening or expanding because it helps bring the good news to more people," he said. "It's also a good sign that an established and experienced business expands because it means a call to obedience reinforced with skills for retail excellence."

Read the full report in the June issue of Christian Retailing magazine.