Choices Book Store celebrates 10 years

Choices, a Christian Living Store, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in business this month.

To cap off celebrations, the store will be having a ribbon cutting with the Newton Chamber of Commerce at 12:15 p.m. Friday and an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with door prizes and snacks.

Choices opened in October of 2004 by Larry and Julie Jones at its first location, 2501C First Ave. E. Larry is from the Brooklyn area and Julie grew up near Lynnville. Residents of Newton since 1995, the Jones decided to open their own business. They both were already employed at jobs they enjoyed, but they wanted to do more.

“We just thought we wanted to do something, some kind of business. When we started researching we had multiple people say that a Christian bookstore would be good,” Julie said.

With help from friends and neighbors Larry and Dianna Ambroson of The Medicine Shoppe, they opened the Christian Bookstore. While struggling to find a location for their business, the couple prayed for guidance and waited for God’s answer. It worked out that the next day, Larry saw a building for rent and with help from their family, neighbors and church friends they landed in their first location.

There are several reasons the Jones’ named the store Choices. First, everyone has a choice for how they live their lives. Second, the choices that people make have an impact on other in the world. Last, following Jesus Christ is a choice they hope and pray that everyone will make.

In December of 2010, the store moved locations to its current home, 101 W. Second St. N. The move was prompted by the decision to find a more visible location. When beginning their search, the Jones’ thought they found the perfect location, but felt the need to wait before moving forward. Their instincts were right on to wait and the location on the southwest corner of the square became available. The entire store was moved in a weekend with the help of many people in their family and church family. The store now has a lot more visibility on the square and they feel God has really blessed their ministry in the new location.

“It has been very rewarding, when you are in there, you get to know people and you get to help them when they are searching for something. For us it is a lot about the relationship and helping people on their life journey,” Julie said.

Opening a new business was a lot of work, they said, but as they look back over the past 10 years, they know that it could have only been done through the power of God. Through him, they said, their business has continued to grow and support the Newton community.

Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.