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It’s official, the press release in its entirety:
For the last several years Pathway Bookstore has served the Cleveland and Bradley County community at its current location. Pathway Press has struggled with the economic issues that affect everyone at this time. Due to the uncertainty of the economy, and after much deliberation, the leadership of Pathway Press, its Board of Directors and leadership of Church of God have made the difficult decision to close Pathway Bookstore, effective immediately.
Current plans are to sell the existing bookstore property on 25th Street. Decisions regarding possible reopening of the bookstore at another location are under consideration, but as of this date no firm plans are in place. We will continue to be available to serve the community via the internet at www.pathwaybookstore.com. If you hold a gift card or have layaways, they will be honored through the internet or at Pathway Press, located at 1080 Montgomery Avenue, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-9601. Pathway Press has enjoyed the opportunity of serving the city of Cleveland and Bradley County, and appreciates the support of everyone in our area.
At one time this was the second largest Christian bookstore in the U.S.
6 comments
1 ping
Susie says:
19 January 2009 at 1004 (UTC -5 )
So sorry to see this happen. This was my favorite book store.
Sandra Robertson says:
31 January 2009 at 1833 (UTC -5 )
This is such sad news. The Church of God and other Pentecostals really does need this book store so that we can find material on the Holy Ghost as Lifeway book store will not carry any. Please try to possibly open a bookstore in a bigger city such as Birmingham,Al.
Robert Meeks says:
25 February 2009 at 1915 (UTC -5 )
What is the offical closing date?
This type of store is definately needed.
me says:
27 February 2009 at 1912 (UTC -5 )
The store currently is in liquidation. They speak of the middle of March, but I’m not sure it’s going to go that long.
bob says:
24 November 2009 at 0824 (UTC -5 )
Big suprise. A store that sells on religious books. I predicted this from the the very first stone that was laid.
me says:
24 November 2009 at 1058 (UTC -5 )
“I predicted this from the the very first stone that was laid.”
I doubt that very seriously.
To start with, Pathway didn’t build that store. They bought an old grocery store (it was a Wal-Mart before that.)
Second, the basic problem with the store was that the overhead was excessive. This was predicted by internal projections but they were ignored. Pathway had had a successful retail operation in Cleveland long before that but the store’s size and expenses simply could not be supported by the sales volume.
Third, Lifeway is coming into Cleveland. They have many successful retail outlets. (BTW, what’s happened to the WaldenBooks that used to inhabit many shopping malls?) In fact, they’re scheduled to open not so far from the Panera Bread you were sitting at when you wrote this comment.
Fourth, a church bought the building and is doing quite well there.
Snide secularists don’t get much slack on this site.
Some Thoughts on the Church of God’s Reallocation of Resources | Positive Infinity says:
24 March 2009 at 0003 (UTC -5 )
[...] especially in physical plant. The church is taking positive steps to rectify this situation (like this), and its ability to operate in the reduced funding environment will depend in no small measure on [...]