LifeWay's decision to close all 170 of its bricks-and-mortar stores by the end of the year comes two years after Family Christian closed all 240 of its outlets. Though LifeWay is keeping its digital sales channels open, the loss of more Christian retail space could lead to potential sales for surrounding independent bookstores once LifeWay's going-out-of business sales come to an end.
“There are millions of shoppers who still desire the tangible experience of choosing a book or Bible,” says Tom Knight, senior v-p of sales at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “For both Christian and ABA indies, there lies real opportunity for stores to appeal to the customers who have been dedicated to LifeWay retail stores for so many years.”
Oren Teicher, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, agrees. “I would hope bookstores in communities where LifeWay is closing will look at their market and reach out that community to try to see if there’s a void they could fill,” Teicher says. “I think it would behoove indie booksellers in those communities to take a closer look.”
Though the opportunity of increased sales for ABA and other CBA independents is ripe, it will require hard work on their part, says Dave Lewis, executive v-p, sales and marketing, at Baker Publishing Group.
“The business won’t just fall into their laps, they will have to work for it,” Lewis says. Lewis suggests that indies tap Ingram/Spring Arbor, Baker & Taylor, and Anchor Distributors for recommendations on which titles sell best by region, and being intentional about going after LifeWay readers. He also notes that Baker is offering an extra discount and extra co-op marketing for independent book retailers within 50 miles of a closing LifeWay store.
Shawn Everson, chief commercial officer at Ingram, reflected on what he calls a tough 10 years for Christian retailers. Similar to the shuttering of Family Christian and Cokesbury, LifeWay's imminent closures are not good news for the industry, but it can be good news for indie retailers, he says. "Independents can rally—it can be challenging for Christian retailers because they're smaller, but they can pick up the volume. Christian product is in high demand; they can look at what products LifeWay carried that they don't and start carrying it."
The Ingram/Spring Arbor marketing team is reaching out to indie stores near LifeWay locations. "What we try to do is show retailers where LifeWay is how to stay in tune with LifeWay customers who like to shop, to touch the books in brick-and-mortar stores," Everson says. "We will send out some [inventory] lists as [LifeWay] stores begin to close."
President of the Christian Retail Association (CRA) Bob Munce counts 318 Christian bookstores in the same towns as LifeWay stores. He suggests that indie stores approach LifeWay store managers for both insight as well as potential employment. "Well trained staff is hard to find, and [a] LifeWay employee's knowledge of local church accounts who buy curriculum and church supplies [could also help,]" he says.
Strong in-store promotions can boost sales while LifeWay closes out its product, according to Munce, who is planning a Future of the Industry panel to discuss additional steps stores can take at Christian Product Expo International in August. Some independent stores are already working together and with publishers, he notes. "I see a new spirit of unity as the industry moves forward."
See a list of all 170 LifeWay stores in 30 states below, with the highest number of locations in Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky. For more information about each store, visit LifeWay’s website here.
Alabama
Birmingham NE (Trussville) LifeWay Christian Store
Colonial Promenade Tutwiler
1672 Gadsden Highway
Birmingham, AL 35235
Birmingham S LifeWay Christian Store
Riverchase Promenade
1713 Montgomery Hwy S
Birmingham, AL 35244
Decatur LifeWay Christian Store
The Crossing of Decatur
1241 Point Mallard Parkway, SE
Decatur, AL 35601
Dothan LifeWay Christian Store
Shops On The Circle
3500 Ross Clark Circle
Dothan, AL 36303
Florence LifeWay Christian Store
Cox Creek Center
396 Cox Creek Parkway
Florence, AL 35630
Huntsville LifeWay Christian Store
Westside Centre
6275 University Drive NW Ste 42A
Huntsville, AL 35806
Mobile LifeWay Christian Store
3725 Airport Boulevard
Mobile, AL 36608
Montgomery LifeWay Christian Store
Ridgewood Court
7235 Eastchase Parkway
Montgomery, AL 36117
Oxford LifeWay Christian Store
Oxford Exchange
1150 Oxford Exchange Blvd
Oxford, AL 36203
Tuscaloosa LifeWay Christian Store
3504 McFarland Blvd E
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Arkansas
Ft. Smith LifeWay Christian Store
Ft. Smith Pavilion
3855 Phoenix Avenue
Ft. Smith, AR 72903
Hot Springs LifeWay Christian Store
Fairgrounds Crossings
1446 Higdon Ferry Road
Hot Springs, AR 71913
Jonesboro LifeWay Christian Store
Turtle Creek
3009 East Highland Drive
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Little Rock LifeWay Christian Store
Alhambra Square
11600 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR 72211
Rogers LifeWay Christian Store
Pinnacle Hills Promenade
2203 Promenade Blvd.
Rogers, AR 72758
Arizona
Mesa LifeWay Christian Store
1859 South Stapley Drive, Suite 101
Mesa, AZ 85204
Peoria LifeWay Christian Store
7401 West Bell Road
Peoria, AZ 85382
California
Bakersfield LifeWay Christian Store
2140 Wible Road
Bakersfield, CA 93304
Brea LifeWay Christian Store
Brea Union Plaza
2535 East Imperial Highway
Brea, CA 92821
Fresno LifeWay Christian Store
Northgate Shopping Center
5336 North Blackstone Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710
Riverside LifeWay Christian Store
3396 Tyler Street
Riverside, CA 92503
Sacramento LifeWay Christian Store
2659 Alta Arden Expy
Sacramento, CA 95825
San Jose LifeWay Christian Store
Princeton Plaza Mall
1375 Blossom Hill
San Jose, CA 95118
Colorado
Denver (Centennial) LifeWay Christian Store
Yosemite Park
8222 South Yosemite Street
Centennial, CO 80112
Florida
Altamonte Springs LifeWay Christian Store
130 E. Altamonte Drive
Suite #1600
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Brandon LifeWay Christian Store
The Plaza at Brandon Town Center
169 Brandon Town Center Drive
Brandon, FL 33511
Destin LifeWay Christian Store
Shoppes at Paradise Key
4419 Commons Dr East
Destin, FL 32541
Ft. Lauderdale (Davie) LifeWay Christian Store
Tower Shops
1970 S. University Drive North West
Davie, FL 33324
Jacksonville LifeWay Christian Store
St. John's Town Center
10261 River Marsh Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Jacksonville West LifeWay Christian Store
Oakleaf Town Center
9515 Crosshill Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32222
Pensacola LifeWay Christian Store
Cordova Commons
1654 Airport Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32504
Sarasota LifeWay Christian Store
Sarasota Crossing Shopping Center
5421 A Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
Tallahassee LifeWay Christian Store
Governor's Marketplace
1614 Governor's Square Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Tampa LifeWay Christian Store
At the Plaza at Citrus Park
12689 Citrus Plaza Drive
Tampa, FL 33625
Georgia
Albany LifeWay Christian Store
Albany Exchange
1218 North Westover Boulevard
Albany, GA 31707
Athens LifeWay Christian Store
Epps Bridge Center
1791 Oconee Connector, Suite 440
Athens, GA 30606
Augusta LifeWay Christian Store
Augusta Exchange
217 Robert C. Daniel, Jr. Parkway
Augusta, GA 30909
Columbus LifeWay Christian Store
Columbus Park Crossing
5555 Whittlesey Boulevard
Columbus, GA 31909
Macon LifeWay Christian Store
Eisenhower Crossing
4664 Presidential Parkway
Macon, GA 31206
Savannah LifeWay Christian Store
Abercorn Walk
30 Janet Drive
Savannah, GA 31405
Valdosta LifeWay Christian Store
1747 Gornto Road
Valdosta, GA 31601
Warner Robins LifeWay Christian Store
Jasmine Place Shopping Center
115 Margie Drive, Suite E
Warner Robins, GA 31093
Atlanta Metro Stores
Atlanta LifeWay Christian Store
441 Cleveland Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30315
Buford LifeWay Christian Store
Mall of Georgia Crossing
3125 Woodward Crossing Boulevard
Buford, GA 30519
Conyers LifeWay Christian Store
Now open in a new location in the Conyers Crossroads shopping center.
Conyers Crossroads
Conyers, GA 30013
Douglasville LifeWay Christian Store
The Landing at Arbor Place
9345 The Landing Drive
Douglasville, GA 30135
Kennesaw LifeWay Christian Store
Town Center Commons
667 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Morrow LifeWay Christian Store
Southlake Pavillion Phase III
1904 Mount Zion Road
Morrow, GA 30260
Idaho
Boise LifeWay Christian Store (formerly Family Christian)
8085 W. Fairview Ave
Boise, ID 83704
Illinois
Carterville LifeWay Christian Store
Lakeshore Plaza East 13
110 East Plaza Drive
Carterville, IL 62918
LifeWay Christian Store @ Moody Bible Institute [CLOSED]
Moody Bible Institute
150 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
Indiana
Ft. Wayne LifeWay Christian Store (formerly Family Christian)
5509 Coldwater Rd
Ft. Wayne, IN 46825
Indianapolis LifeWay Christian Store
Castleton Crossing
5458 East 82nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Kansas
Olathe LifeWay Christian Store
Olathe Station
11941 S Strang Line Road
Olathe, KS 66062
Topeka LifeWay Christian Store
Fairlawn
2121 SW Fairlawn Plaza Drive
Topeka, KS 66614
Kentucky
Bowling Green LifeWay Christian Store
Greenwood Mall
2625 Scottsville Road
Bowling Green, KY 42104
Elizabethtown LifeWay Christian Store
Mall Park Center
1900 North Dixie Highway
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Lexington LifeWay Christian Store
The Plaza at Fayette Mall
3801 Mall Road
Lexington, KY 40503
Louisville LifeWay Christian Store
Taylorhurst
2120 South Hurstbourne Parkway
Louisville, KY 40220
Owensboro LifeWay Christian Store
Owensboro Town Center
5221 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
Paducah LifeWay Christian Store
Kentucky Oaks Plaza
3480 James-Sanders Boulevard
Paducah, KY 42001
Richmond LifeWay Christian Store
Richmond Centre
2085 Lantern Ridge Drive, Suite Y300
Richmond, KY 40475
Southern Seminary LifeWay Christian Store
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
2825 Lexington Road
Louisville, KY 40280
Louisiana
Alexandria LifeWay Christian Store
Alexandria Commons
2639 South MacArthur Drive
Alexandria, LA 71301
Baton Rouge LifeWay Christian Store
Bluebonnet Parc
5915 Bluebonnet Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70836
Monroe LifeWay Christian Store
Pecanland Commons
4251 Pecanland Mall Drive
Monroe, LA 71203
New Orleans Seminary LifeWay Christian Store
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
3939 Gentilly Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70126
Shreveport LifeWay Christian Store
University Place
7050 Youree Drive
Shreveport, LA 71105
Maryland
Baltimore LifeWay Christian Store
White Marsh Plaza
7900 Honeygo Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21236
Hagerstown LifeWay Christian Store
Crosspoint
17229 Cole Road
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Michigan
Sterling Heights LifeWay Christian Store (formerly Family
Christian)
44943 Schoenherr Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Minnesota-Minneapolis Metro Stores
Burnsville LifeWay Christian Store
Cobblestone Court
14150 Nicollet Ave S
Burnsville, MN 55337
Maple Grove LifeWay Christian Store
Arbor Lakes Mall
12985 Elm Creek Blvd
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Woodbury LifeWay Christian Store
Valley Creek Mall
1750 Weir Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125
Missouri
Bridgeton LifeWay Christian Store
Orchard Bend
11977 St. Charles Rock Road
Bridgeton, MO 63044
Cape Girardeau LifeWay Christian Store
Cape West Plaza
127 Siemers Drive
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Kansas City LifeWay Christian Store
Tiffany Springs MarketCenter
9182 North Skyview Ave
Kansas City, MO 64154
Springfield LifeWay Christian Store
Primrose Marketplace
3362 South Glenstone Avenue
Springfield, MO 65804
Mississippi
Gulfport LifeWay Christian Store
Crossroads Center
15268 Crossroads Pkwy.
Gulfport, MS 39503
Hattiesburg LifeWay Christian Store
Turtle Creek Crossing
24 Cross Creek Parkway
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Jackson LifeWay Christian Store
County Line Plaza Shopping Center
1057 East County Line Road
Jackson, MS 39211
Meridian LifeWay Christian Store
Crossroads
133 South Frontage Road
Meridian, MS 39301
Southaven LifeWay Christian Store
Southaven Towne Center
6589 Towne Center Crossing
Southaven, MS 38671
Tupelo LifeWay Christian Store
3850 North Gloster Street
Tupelo, MS 38804
Montana
Billings LifeWay Christian Store
1211 24th Street West
Billings, MT 59102
North Carolina
Asheville LifeWay Christian Store
River Hills
105-A River Hills Road
Asheville, NC 28805
Burlington LifeWay Christian Store
Alamance Center
1348 Java Lane, Suite 106
Burlington, NC 27215
Cary LifeWay Christian Store
Centrum at Crossroads Shopping
2450 Walnut Street
Cary, NC 27518
Fayetteville LifeWay Christian Store
Cross Creek Shopping Plaza
1728 Skibo Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303
Greensboro LifeWay Christian Store
5417-B Sapp Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
Hickory LifeWay Christian Store
Hickory Corners Phase II
1714 Highway 70 Southeast
Hickory, NC 28602
Raleigh LifeWay Christian Store
Town Square
5250 Capital Boulevard
Raleigh, NC 27616
Wilmington LifeWay Christian Store
University Commons Shopping Center
341-55/56 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
Winston-Salem LifeWay Christian Store
Hanes Point
1082 Hanes Mall Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Charlotte Metro Stores
Charlotte LifeWay Christian Store
Northcrest Shopping Center
9717 Northlake Centre Parkway, #B2
Charlotte, NC 28216
Gastonia LifeWay Christian Store
Franklin Square Phase III
3726 East Franklin Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28056
Pineville LifeWay Christian Store
The Centrum
10412 A Centrum Parkway
Pineville, NC 28134
Ohio
Canton LifeWay Christian Store
North Plaza
1100 30th Street Northwest
Canton, OH 44709
Cincinnati LifeWay Christian Store
Cobblewood Plaza Shopping Center
1183 Smiley Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45240
Copley LifeWay Christian Store
143 Rothrock Road, Suite A
Copley, OH 44321
Dayton LifeWay Christian Store
Dayton Mall
2830 Miamisburg-Centerville Road
Dayton, OH 45459
Mentor LifeWay Christian Store (formerly Family Christian)
7633 Mentor Ave
Mentor, OH 44060
Toledo LifeWay Christian Store
The Talmadge Road
4121 Talmadge Road
Toledo, OH 43623
Columbus Metro Stores
Columbus North LifeWay Christian Store
Toll Free # 1-800-277-6679
8735 Lyra Drive
Columbus, OH 43240
Columbus West LifeWay Christian Store
Georgesville Square
1657 Georgesville Square Drive
Columbus, OH 43228
Reynoldsburg LifeWay Christian Store
Taylor Park
2363 Taylor Park Drive
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City LifeWay Christian Store
3621 Northwest Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Tulsa LifeWay Christian Store
Mingo Marketplace
10333 East 71st Street South
Tulsa, OK 74133
Oregon
Beaverton (Portland) LifeWay Christian Store
Beaverton II
2785 SW Cedar Hills Boulevard
Beaverton, OR 97005
Pennsylvania
Chambersburg LifeWay Christian Store
1108 Sheller Avenue
Suite 1
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Harrisburg LifeWay Christian Store
Colonial Commons
5096A Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Lancaster LifeWay Christian Store
898 Plaza Boulevard
Lancaster, PA 17601
South Carolina
Anderson LifeWay Christian Store
Anderson Mall Pad
3045 North Main Street
Anderson, SC 29621
Columbia LifeWay Christian Store
Columbiana Station
1009 Bower Parkway
Columbia, SC 29212
Florence LifeWay Christian Store
Crossroads Center
2600 David H. McLeod Boulevard
Florence, SC 29501
Greenville LifeWay Christian Store
The Gallery
607 Haywood Road
Greenville, SC 29607
Myrtle Beach LifeWay Christian Store
Coastal Grand Crossing
348 Seaboard Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
North Charleston LifeWay Christian Store
North Rivers Market
Suite 1260
North Charleston, SC 29406
Tennessee
Chattanooga LifeWay Christian Store
Hamilton Crossing
2200 Hamilton Place Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Cleveland LifeWay Christian Store
Cleveland Towne Center
4442 Frontage Road North West
Cleveland, TN 37312
Cookeville LifeWay Christian Store
West Jackson Marketplace
414 West Jackson Street
Cookeville, TN 38501
Johnson City LifeWay Christian Store
Johnson City Crossing
3211 Peoples Street
Johnson City, TN 37604
Kingsport LifeWay Christian Store
Kingsport Pavillon
2626 East Stone Drive
Kingsport, TN 37660
Knoxville East LifeWay Christian Store
Harvest Park Center
5449 Washington Pike
Knoxville, TN 37918
Knoxville West LifeWay Christian Store
The Pavilion at Turkey Creek
10990 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37934
Morristown LifeWay Christian Store
Crossroads Square
130 Terrace Lane, Suite 3
Morristown, TN 37813
Union University LifeWay Christian Store
Union University
1016 Union University Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
Memphis Metro Stores
Memphis East LifeWay Christian Store
The Commons
8025 Giacosa Place
Memphis, TN 38133
Memphis South LifeWay Christian Store
Centennial Commons
7720 Polo Grounds Blvd
Memphis, TN 38125
Southaven LifeWay Christian Store
Southaven Towne Center
6589 Towne Center Crossing
Southaven, MS 38671
Nashville Metro Stores
Clarksville LifeWay Christian Store
Governor's Square Mall
2825 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard
Clarksville, TN 37040
Franklin LifeWay Christian Store
Coolsprings Crossing
1725 Galleria Boulevard
Franklin, TN 37067
Hendersonville LifeWay Christian Store
1050 Glenbrook Way
Suite 130
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Mt. Juliet LifeWay Christian Store
Providence Market Place
401 S. Mount Juliet Road
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Murfreesboro LifeWay Christian Store
Market Place Center
1960 A Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Nashville LifeWay Christian Store
One LifeWay Plaza
Suite 30
Nashville, TN 37234
Texas
Amarillo LifeWay Christian Store
Westgate Plaza
201 B Westgate Parkway
Amarillo, TX 79121
Austin LifeWay Christian Store
Shops at Arborwalk
10515 North Mopac Expressway
Austin, TX 78759
Beaumont LifeWay Christian Store
Shoppes at Parkdale Mall
4255 Dowlen Road
Beaumont, TX 77706
College Station LifeWay Christian Store
Post Oak Square
1140 Harvey Road, Suite 140
College Station, TX 77840
El Paso LifeWay Christian Store
1-800-242-5427 for Spanish Products
Las Palmas Marketplace
El Paso, TX 79936
Longview LifeWay Christian Store
Longview Towne Crossing
3092 North Eastman Road
Longview, TX 75605
Lubbock LifeWay Christian Store
Canyon West
5017 Milwaukee Ave
Lubbock, TX 79407
San Antonio LifeWay Christian Store
The Rim at San Antonio
17802 LaCantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78257
Sherman LifeWay Christian Store
Sherman Town Center
4026 North US Highway 75
Sherman, TX 75090
Temple LifeWay Christian Store
Temple Towne Center
2318 HK Dodgen Loop
Temple, TX 76504
Texarkana LifeWay Christian Store
Texarkana Pavilion
4250 St. Michael Drive
Texarkana, TX 75503
Tyler LifeWay Christian Store
Broadway Crossing
5510 South Broadway Avenue
Tyler, TX 75703
Dallas/Ft. Worth Metro Stores
Flower Mound LifeWay Christian Store
Robertson Creek Shopping Center
5801 Long Prairie Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
Fort Worth LifeWay Christian Store
Southwest Crossing
5900 Southwest Loop 820
Fort Worth, TX 76132
Hurst LifeWay Christian Store
the shops at NorthEast mall shopping center
884 NE Mall Blvd
Hurst, TX 76053
Mesquite LifeWay Christian Store
18775 LBJ Freeway
Mesquite, TX 75150
Plano LifeWay Christian Store
Preston Park
1937 Preston Road, Suite 1000
Plano, TX 75093
Houston Metro Stores
Houston Northwest LifeWay Christian Store
Willowbrook Court
17776 Tomball Parkway
Houston, TX 77064
Houston Southwest LifeWay Christian Store
Fondren Square II Center
7505 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77074
Humble LifeWay Christian Store
Deerbrook Marketplace
20426 US Highway 59 North
Humble, TX 77338
Katy LifeWay Christian Store
Price Plaza
20230 Katy Freeway
Katy, TX 77449
The Woodlands LifeWay Christian Store
Near The Woodlands Mall
27900 Interstate 45 N.
The Woodlands, TX 77385
Webster LifeWay Christian Store
Baybrook Village
1513 West Bay Area Boulevard
Webster, TX 77598
Virginia
Chesapeake LifeWay Christian Store
Crossways Small Shops
1600 C Crossways Boulevard
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Danville LifeWay Christian Store
Coleman Marketplace
165 Holt Garrison Parkway
Danville, VA 24540
Fredericksburg LifeWay Christian Store
Central Park Shopping Center
1501 Central Park Blvd
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Glen Allen LifeWay Christian Store
9840-A West Broad Street
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Lynchburg LifeWay Christian Store
Mountview Commons
3901 Wards Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Midlothian LifeWay Christian Store
Commonwealth Plaza
5211 Commonwealth Center Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23112
Newport News LifeWay Christian Store
Jefferson Commons
12551 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23602
Roanoke LifeWay Christian Store
4873 Valley View Boulevard, Northwest
Suite A
Roanoke, VA 24012
Springfield LifeWay Christian Store
Springfield Plaza II
6312 Springfield Plaza
Springfield, VA 22150
Washington
Spokane LifeWay Christian Store
Heritage Village
9310 N Division Street
Spokane, WA 99218
Tukwila LifeWay Christian Store
Parkway Super Center
17326 Southcenter Parkway
Tukwila, WA 98188
West Virginia
Barboursville LifeWay Christian Store
Huntington Mall
8 Mall Road, Unit 910
Barboursville, WV 25504
