An interview with Christian Book Store

Biblio checks in with Christian Book Store to learn more about their book business, collecting interests and more! To view and shop their inventory, click here.

When did you get started in bookselling?

The Christian Book Store was started in 1967.

What drew you to bookselling?

I was a first year student at Bob Jones University in 1967. We were assigned to a project to study and write a paper on "Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God." We were to use two mandatory Commendtaries. One I had in my Library, but the main one at that time, Matthew by John Broadus, was out of print. I was forced to purchased a retired Ministers library with the book included. I started selling to the students the books I did not need, and bought more Christian Libraries. All profits go to Missions. I retired from the book store in 2017, and turned the reigns over to my prodigy Dan Jones, who is now carrying on the work.

Did you have any mentors in becoming a bookseller?

All the book programs.

What are your specialties as a dealer?

Christian Books.

What's the most amazing book you've ever sold?

Martha Mitchell "Gone with the Wind" autogrraphed on the inside leaf.

What is your favorite part of being a bookseller?

Fullfilling the need of a book at reasonable price.

Do you have an open storefront or have you in the past?

We have a walk-in-store in Inman, South Carolina.

What is the funniest / strangest / scariest thing that ever happened in your store?

Not being able to fulfill orders.

What do you personally like to read? Collect?

Christian Authors, especially older authors.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring three books, what would they be?

Bible, Commentary, Bible Dictionary