Amid increased competition, Christian book stores shift focus
CHRIS BIRK
The (Scranton) Times-Tribune

TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. - Books filled with lessons of faith and Christian values once filled an entire room of Patti St. Clair's shop.

Now customers at Paradise Book and Gift Shop have just one wall's worth of titles to peruse.
Like many Christian retailers, St. Clair has moved away from books and more toward gifts and specialized items as bigger chains have cut into her niche market.

"I just know that people are not going to be coming back to me for books," said St. Clair, who with her husband, Tom, bought into the shop a dozen years ago.

"If I carry different gifts that the big stores don't carry and a bigger variety, that's probably where my money will come in."

No longer able to ignore a multibillion dollar industry, big box stores and mass merchandisers are carving out a chunk of Christian retailing. the rest