c. StarNewsOnline.com 2013
Reprinted with permission
Copyright © 2013 StarNewsOnline.com

The Salt Shaker Bookstore and Cafe, a Wilmington institution for more than a decade, is preparing to close its doors.

No final date has been announced, but in an email Friday (Feb. 1) to customers and supporters, The Salt Shaker announced a going-out-of-business sale, with 25 percent off on all Bibles and other books, 50 percent off on CDs and other music, and half off on gifts and church supplies.

“It has been a wonderful 14 years sharing the love of Christ with our customers and providing their needs for Christian growth,” wrote partners Claire Efird and Katharine Sullivan in their message. “We will miss greeting our customers each day and helping them find their favorite author’s newest book or introducing them to a new author or musician.”

“It was a hard decision,” Efird said in a phone interview. “We fought it tooth and nail.”

In their email to customers, Efird and Sullivan also asked for prayers for the store’s employees.

The Salt Shaker, at 705 S. Kerr Ave., vigorously promoted Christian and inspirational authors. It sponsored signings and events with the likes of Beverly Lewis, evangelist Anne Graham Lotz and William R. Forstchen, as well as helping local authors launch their titles.