New Christian retailer opens Owner strives to help people seeking a

ANTHONY S. BUSH/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Deborah Dawkins, right, owner of Above All Books and Gifts, 3632 S.W. Topeka Blvd., rings up a purchase by Rosemary Massey.

ABOVE ALL BOOKS AND GIFTS

Address: 3632 S.W. Topeka Blvd., White Lakes Center

Phone: 266-6107

Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday a.m. to 6 p.m.

BOOKSTORE

By Heather Jones

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Deborah Dawkins, owner of Above All Books and Gifts, plans to serve the Topeka community through her Christian retail store.

"Christian retail in particular meets a special need," Dawkins said. "People come in and they need encouragement or some spiritual uplift, and by buying a tape or book, they get that."

The store sells predominantly religious merchandise, including books, videotapes and educational supplies. It also offers gift items such as mugs, T-shirts, hats and ties.

Prices range from 99 cents to $50.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was conducted at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

"I really believe in contributing to the economic base, and want to bring life to something east of Topeka Boulevard," Dawkins said. "We have a fine bookstore on the west side, but there are people who live on the east side that don't want to travel west."

For a number of years, Topeka had a handful of Christian retail centers, but Christian Book & Gift left its Wanamaker Road location in September when it purchased the assets of RJ Carr's Family Bookstore and moved into RJ Carr's space at 2121 S.W. Fairlawn Plaza Drive. Christian retailers have struggled with sales in recent years as other retailers, such as Wal-Mart and Amazon.com, have entered the Christian retail market.

Dawkins had worked as an independent decorating consultant for 18 years. For the past six years, she worked in her church bookstore, Antioch Book Nook, at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. When that store closed, she decided to open her own store.

"I do have some experience in retail," Dawkins said. "Not only am I making some money, but I am servicing someone's needs."

The store has one employee in addition to Dawkins and her business partner, Elizabeth Ross.

According to Dawkins, everyone has a different need and she is hoping to service each person as best she can.

"I am a people person and I like seeing people have their needs met," Dawkins said.

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