Declining Sales Lead To Demise Of Michigan-Based Family Christian Chain

METRO DETROIT, MI — After 85 years, Michigan-based Family Christian, LLC, known for its assortment of Bibles and wide variety of Christian-themed merchandise, is going out of business.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, the chain boasted 240 retail locations in 36 states nationwide. The company blamed declining sales for its demise.

“We had two very difficult years post-bankruptcy,” Family Christian President Chuck Bengochea said in a statement. “Despite improvements in product assortment and the store experience, sales continued to decline. In addition, we were not able to get the pricing and terms we needed from our vendors to successfully compete in the market. We have prayerfully looked at all possible options, trusting God’s plan for our organization, and the difficult decision to liquidate is our only recourse.”

The company did not give a specific timeline for its liquidation. Metropolitan Detroit employees heard of the closing late Thursday afternoon.

“Coming out of bankruptcy (in 2015) you kind of knew things were challenging,” Novi store manager Greg Holmes told Patch. “We felt like we were regaining our footing and heading in a positive direction. But retail has become really competitive and really hard to predict.”

He cited the 2011 Borders bookstores failure as an example. The Novi Family Christian opened in West Oaks II shopping mall in 2006. Holmes has managed it from the beginning.

“Sometimes, when you work a job, you work hard at it but you don’t really realize it made an impact on someone’s life,” he said. Holmes wasn’t sure what kind of work he will do when the store closes, but isn’t worried. “For 11 years this really has deepened my faith, so I just know that going forward there’s great plans ahead.”

The Novi store currently boasts nine employees, including seven part-timers. Holmes said some have been with Family Christian for as long as nine years, which is unusual in retail. He believes the relationships built by employees with customers is the reason.

“Sometimes somebody would come in and you could tell they were a little sad,” Holmes said. “You didn’t want to pry, but over time they would say, ‘I lost my parent today, and immediately you were able to give them something that would comfort them. For me, I always feel I had to lift people’s spirits.”

Wolverine Lake resident Pat Franklin has been coming to the Novi Family Christian since it opened.

“I pick up things for my church and they have beautiful Christmas gifts,” she said. “I love this store. I’m going to really, really miss it. They’re always very kind and very helpful.”

Patrick Steele was also disappointed. As pastor of Ignite Church in Milan he said he has used the store for years to stock his theological library.

“There are not a lot of places, particularly chains, where you’re able to get Christian materials and books,” Steele said. “I’ll have to do a lot more ordering online now. It’s just not the same. You like to go and see the books and flip through the pages and see it for yourself.”

He said he will be looking to shop at more “mom and pop” Christian book stores.

“I liked knowing there’s a Christian chain out there,” Steele said.

Over the years, Family Christian Ministries provided humanitarian aid for more than 14 million orphans, widows and oppressed people around the world.

“At its core, Family Christian is an organization with a heart for service,” said Senior Vice President Steve Biondo. “We are grateful for the millions of lives that have been impacted thanks to our guests and employees’ heart for bringing the light of Jesus to the darkest corners of our world.”

Photos by Scott Daniel (Patch Staff)