Inspirational treasures at The Gospel Shop

  • By Patricia M. Albrecht
  • June 16, 2011
  • 305
                        
Inspirational treasures at The Gospel Shop By Patricia M. Albrecht The Gospel Shop on Main Street in Sugarcreek is much more than your average Christian bookstore. Not only is there the latest in Christian fiction novels, music, and Bibles, but visitors will find unique inspirational treasures throughout the store. It all began many years ago when David and Erma Stutzman put a sign up in their yard that read Stutzman’s Gospel Records. The business was started in the family home in 1966. In March 1967, the Stutzman’s moved the shop and opened downtown in a building that was formerly a bakery. As the business grew, a larger facility was needed. This time the shop went into an area where the library had been. “In 1987,” recalls owner Rhoda Mullet, “my husband, Freeman, and I became co-owners with my father. That was the year we moved to the present location. A house was attached to the building, so we sold our house and moved in next to the shop.” Freeman and Rhoda bought David Stutzman’s share in 1998. Ninety-years old now, Stutzman continued to work in the office until 2009. Erma passed away in November 2010, but customers still talk about her enthusiasm meeting people and working in The Gospel Shop. The store has grown so much, the Mullet’s purchased a house off the premises and, with Freeman being a skilled carpenter, turned the living room of the shop’s attached house into a large card shop and the enclosed porch area into a beautiful garden room. In addition to a numerous supply of books, The Gospel Shop carries items that include: Bibles, pictures, t-shirts, Ty plush toys, individual and boxed cards, CD’s and DVD’s, cookbooks, music boxes, purses, and unique inspirational gifts. “We have a large children’s section,” said Rhoda, “a bargain book area, and chairs in the front of the store where people can sit and have coffee." Every year in October, The Gospel Shop holds a sale in the garage behind the store. The employees bake cookies and serve coffee for the event and bargains reach from 50 to 90 percent. “This year will be our 15th year for the sale,” said Rhoda. “It’s an anticipated day for many of our regular customers.” The Mullet’s valuable employees Leona Stutzman, Laura Yoder, and Lori Schlabach are available to help customers throughout the store with purchases and finding just the right inspirational gift. “The front room,” adds Rhoda, “is the garden room in the spring and summer. We have gardening, flower, and bird items, sun-catchers, garden stones, and garden flags. September through the end of January, the garden room turns into the Christmas room with all kinds of holiday décor and gifts.” The Gospel Shop continues to grow and add items and, after many, many years of being in business, evidence shows it’s a stop everyone should make while in Sugarcreek. Freeman and Rhoda Mullet and employees Leona Stutzman, Laura Yoder, and Lori Schlabach can be reached at The Gospel Shop at: 330-852-4223.


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