After 53 years of operating a Christian bookstore in St. Joseph, the Parable store at 2913 Niles Avenue will close its doors at the end of 2024.
Parable owner Lorraine Valk says it’s time for a new chapter in her professional life:
“Parable will be moving and will be closing its doors in St Joseph at year’s end. After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to bring this chapter to a close and embark on a new journey.”
While Parable will close, Valk says she will continue to serve its customers in a new store at Exit 52 in Lawrence:
“I’m thrilled to introduce our new boutique store–Sonlight Gifts in Lawrence. Our new location is designed with the same care and attention to detail that you’ve come to expect. The gift selection, Bibles & imprinting, cards, laser engraving and jewelry are hand selected; they are chosen for you to help your walk with Him, and as gifts to encourage and lift Him up.”
Valk is a second-generation owner of Parable and feels a great responsibility to the heritage and higher mission of the store that was started by her parents:
“This decision was not made lightly, but it comes from a deep desire to focus my creativity and energy creating beautifully crafted laser items. As much as I’ve loved every moment of connecting with wonderful customers like you, managing our store has required immense dedication and time, often leaving me stretched thin.”
She emphasized that she has a deep appreciation for Parable’s customers and the relationships she has built over the years:
“With all my heart, I want to thank you for your unwavering support throughout this incredible journey. Your encouragement has meant the world to our family for 53 years, and I hope you’ll cherish these final months in St Joseph, and I anticipate your joy as you discover our store just off I-94 at exit 52.”
Valk is the owner of the building which houses Parable and Green Harbor Health, fronting the parking lot in back of Buffalo Wild Wings on Niles Avenue in South St. Joseph. She told us the building is ‘for sale’ and offers possibilities for a wide range of businesses. An adjoining building housed an Indian restaurant, Memories of India, which recently moved downtown. Everything from small retail shops to medical and real estate offices have successfully operated in the small retail cluster over the years. Valk invites anyone interested in the Parable building to reach out to her.
She will announce an opening date and store hours for ‘Sonlight’ later this Fall and continues to update the ‘Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph’ Facebook page.
New Store Location:
Sonlight Gifts
102 W St Joseph, Lawrence, MI 49064
269.983.7883
Sonlightgifts@gmail.com
