Two family-run businesses that have been recognized for being on the cutting edge of Christian bookselling are celebrating milestone years.

Hackman's Bible Book Store in Whitehall, Pa., has been marking its 60th anniversary by giving away a free DVD to customers telling the store's history, while Christian Book & Gift Shop (CBGS) in Rochester, Minn., has notched up a half century of service.

Founded by current owner Joe Hackman's grandfather, a former CBA president, Hackman's has mushroomed from an original 1,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. The store's aim has always been to "provide people with life-changing products and top-quality customer service," Hackman said. "We are very customer-service driven, offering lounges with fish tanks, free coffee and free wireless (Internet) access."

For Dennis and Elaine Mulholland, who launched CBGS in 1957 after buying a store that had sold religious materials for 20 years, their mission for the business was "to provide Christ-centered material to help people live life the way it was meant to be."

Now run by the Mulhollands' daughter-in-law and her sister-in-law, CBGS was named among the "Top 25 Christian Stores" in 2000 by Christian Retailing magazine and CBA Store of the Region three times.

"We practice three principles: One, the need to take in more than goes out. Two, manage to make that happen. Three, never violate the first two," said Dennis Mulholland.

Read the full story in the Dec. 10 issue of Christian Retailing.