Joint-venture store changes names, retains current manager

LifeWay Christian Stores has acquired Johnsen & Taylor Bookstore, which was founded as a joint venture between Tyndale House Publishers and South Africa-based Christian Publishing Company (CPC). Terms of the agreement were not released.

The 6,432-square-foot location has changed its name and officially opened as a LifeWay store Aug. 1. Originally opened in November 2010, the 5,000-square-foot Town Square Wheaton store in Wheaton, Ill., was named in honor of Chris Johnsen, managing director of CPC and founder of Christian Art Gifts of South Africa, and Kenneth and Margaret Taylor, founders of Carol Stream, Ill.-based Tyndale House.

“Our motivation since day one was to serve our local community through the ministry and resources of a Christian retail store,” Tyndale officials said. “We have achieved this goal, and as we look to the future of the store, we feel the community will be better served by being part of a larger Christian retail organization that is focused on retail and has a clear mission of bringing gospel-centered resources to local communities.

“[LifeWay’s] core values and mission align with what we desire for Johnsen & Taylor, and we are excited to see this ministry continue to flourish within the LifeWay group,” Tyndale officials added. “The store location, store manager and the employees, who wished to continue, all remain the same.”

LifeWay Christian Stores President Tim Vineyard said: “Our goal is to be a one-source location with Christian resources for churches and individuals as we strive to fulfill our vision of providing biblical solutions for life. It is a pleasure to be a part of the Wheaton community.” 

Store Manager Mark Sutkowski said that many individuals and churches “are excited about LifeWay Christian Stores being here.”

Sutkowski said he was personally “looking forward to having the ability to reach out to the local churches in a greater way” through cooperative community projects, seasonal campaigns and high-quality ministry resources.