Internet, Still Sour Economy Claim Urbandale Business

Wellspring Christian Resources will lock the door on the book and gift store at 10465 Hickman Road for good on Saturday, ending 70 years of business.

John Desaulniers, who runs the business with sons Joe and Wesley, is closing the store because sales have fallen off as customers turn to the Internet for resources instead of shopping in bricks-and-mortar stores like his, the Des Moines Register reported.

“Our bulwark used to be people buying Sunday school curriculum and vacation Bible school materials from us but a lot of that has gone to online sales,” Desaulniers said.

The store is also a casualty of a still sluggish economy and rising gas prices, according to Desaulniers, who bought the store two years ago.

The store was established in 1943 and operated under the banner of Boone Book and Bible. It was founded by two sisters, Bea Hale and Beulah Copeland, who performed on “The Boone Family” Christian radio show on KRNT radio.

The store moved from its downtown location to Urbandale in 1996. By that time, it was owned by Bill and Bev Channell and Rick and Kelly Keeney.

What business would you like to see move into the former home of Wellspring Christian Resources? Tell us below in the comments.

The closing of Wellspring Christian Resources follows a national trend affecting independent and chain stores alike.

The chain Borders declared bankruptcy in 2011 and  closed about 300 stories nationwide as readers went digital, and  its former competitor Barnes & Noble is listed as “endangered,” according to a story last month in the Atlantic.

Christianity Today reported that Nashville-based United Methodist Publishing House is closing its 38 retail stores.

Association for Christian Retail President Curtis Riskey told Register reporter Pat Johnson that the inventory of Christian bookstores has tumbled to half of what it was 10 years ago and is now estimated at 2,300 companies operating in about 4,000 locations.

“Certainly the demands of technology and other cost pressures of doing business have had an effect on small business,” he said.

Until the doors at Wellspring Christian Resources close for good at 7 p.m. Saturday, merchandise is being offered at discounts of 40 percent or more. Store hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. both today and tomorrow.