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Store is Inspiration to Owner
When we open our hearts and minds, and take on new challenges, it's amazing to behold all the things that happen to us in a short amount of time.
Certainly that's true for Lisa Wilcox, who three and a half years ago entered the business world by purchasing New Life Christian Book Store at 211 Norris Avenue in McCook.
Lisa knew it was going to be an adventure ... she just had no idea how special the experience was going to be, nor how uplifting it would be to witness the spiritual journey of people from many walks of life.
"If I had to choose one word to describe what we do here at New Life it would be inspirational," Lisa said. "All the things in the store -- the Bibles, the gifts, the artwork, the music, the devotionals -- are uplifting, inspiring the steps we take on our spiritual journey."
In appreciation for the support New Life has received, Lisa and her family will have a Customer Appreciation Sale from Monday, October 21 through Saturday, October 26. During the week-long sale, nearly every item in the store will be reduced by 20 percent. "The only exceptions will be charity and sale items," Lisa said.
Christian books and gifts have been a part of the McCook business scene since the 1980s, beginning as a home-based business and then growing into a storefront enterprise through the efforts of the McCorkles and Hilemans. Lisa purchased the business from Cheryl Mista, who had operated the business for 14 years before moving to Colorado.
From the very first day that Lisa and her family purchased New Life, they have placed a strong emphasis on excellent customer service. "We do everything we can think of to make shopping at New Life a delightful experience for our customers," Lisa said. "We do free imprints for all Bibles and other books and we provide free wrapping for all gift purchases."
New Life also works closely with churches, serving as the ordering site for communion supplies -- including cups, wafers and communion breads -- for several denominations. Lisa and the New Life staff offer free delivery to churches in McCook.
Another special distinction for New Life is serving as the book signing site for area authors, including being the first signing location for "Heaven Is for Real," the nationwide bestseller by Todd Burpo of Imperial. The book has gone on to sell 7.5 million copies and to be published in 22 other languages. In addition, New Life Christian Book Store hosted book signings for Stan Garretson, a retired McCook Community College instructor, and the Rev. Jeff Thurman, former minister at the Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook.
New Life is open six days a week -- Monday through Saturday -- from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Special products are featured every day the store is open for business. "We like to purchase products made in the U.S. and we make a special effort to showcase items made by handicapped and disabled Americans," Lisa said.
Also in the spotlight at New Life are:
*"Eternal Threads," purses and bracelets brought to the United States by Linda Egle. Made from paper and fishing line, the products are hand-crafted by young girls rescued from the sex trade industry;
*Prayer Beads, provided by Ann Trail and Patty Keene as a fund-raiser for Camp Norweska in Northwestern Nebraska;
*Pacha Soap, created by Andrew Vrbas, who is engaged to marry Abi Burrows of McCook. For every bar of Pacha soap purchased, a bar is donated. Pacha soap is also available on-line, and for every on-line purchase, a bar is donated internationally, and;
*"Let's Do Tea," a line of 101 different types of tea blends plus related tea products offered through a company owned by Gloria Tinkham, Lisa's sister. The wide range of teas available include black, green, white, rooibos, oolong and bamboo varieties.
New Life Christian Book Store is truly a family business. Lisa and her husband Rick's children all lend a hand. The Wilcox children include Alison Marts, Arvada, Colo., who developed the website and assists with buying; Sarah Schilling of McCook, who handles sales and display tasks, and Jessica Wilcox, 16, and Nathan Wilcox, 14, students at Victory Christian Academy. In their off-school hours, Jessica and Nathan assist with wrapping, clean-up and other store tasks.
"We are grateful for the encouragement and support we have received at New Life," Lisa said. "It's been a great experience. We look forward to serving you now and in the future with inspirational products and services."