Twin ports book and bible goes out of business.

After more than 60 years of business, Twin Ports Bible and Book has reached its final chapter.
The owners of the largest Christian gift store in the region, Bill and Joyce Alworth, began liquidating their inventory this week and plan to close the shop at 4911 Matterhorn Drive in Duluth by the end of January.
"Our business has declined to the point where we simply couldn't keep up with the bills anymore," said Bill Alworth.
He said the business has been through plenty of ups and downs, but since September sales have declined substantially from last year's levels.
Alworth blames increased competition from big-box retailers that have begun carrying more religious merchandise as well as the growing reach of Internet vendors that sell Christian literature, music and gift items.



Okay this was in today's Duluth News Tribune. It is sad this store is closing it's doors soon, however I few thing I don't think are right in the story.


One owner Bill Alworth says big- box retailers have begun to carry more religious items. I have not seen this anywhere in big stores I have seen in increase in a couple of other local stores. Again not in any big stores. The other issue with any special merchandise store they need to stay up to date with what is new or they will get taken out.

A big part of the closing is due to lack of personal customers. What I mean is many churches have done business with them for years but they lost many non-church business customers for some reason. I would guess this is not do to big stores, it could be do in part to the internet and because people are not buying as much of those type of items at this point.

A specialty store will see big increase and big decrease month to month and they just need to be able to over come the decreases in this case they are not able to do so.

Again it is sad that such a great store that I have gone to many times will be closing but it does happen and they have served our community well for many years and I wish the owners the best in what ever they look forward to in the future.