Owner selling Maryland store to focus on new site in Page Valley
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Sept. 19 — The Bedford native had visited the Town of Luray and enjoyed its natural beauty and amenities ten times before this summer. So, when Brian Sutphin was looking for a “more peaceful, relaxing area” to open a new Faith Christian Store, he thought about Page County.
“We are thrilled to be here,” Sutphin said at the Sept. 19 grand opening. “We’ve operated a store in Maryland for the last five years, and we’re getting ready to sell so we can give our full attention to this.”
The shelves of the store adjacent to CVS in the West Luray Shopping Center display calendars and candles, crosses and Bibles, jewelry and greeting cards, knick knacks and books — lots of books. The walls feature portraits and prints, hats and t-shirts, and a flat screen TV that plays inspirational music throughout the day.
“I want to welcome a brand new store to our community,” said Gina Hilliard, president of the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce. “We want to welcome you with open arms, and we thank you for reinvesting and coming to the community.”
The Chamber hosted a ribbon cutting on Friday to coincide with the grand opening of Faith Christian Stores of VA’s newest location.
“It’s something the Town really needed,” Luray Police Chief Bow Cook said. “On behalf of the Town, we’re excited you’re here and welcome to Luray.”
Sutphin addressed a few dozen customers, supporters and local leaders on Friday, as he held his youngest son and his wife stood by his side. His daughter was attending school.
“I saw ‘In God We Trust’ on a police vehicle and said ‘We’re going to fit in just fine here,'” he told the crowd that filled the small store.
The former restaurant owner says running a faith-based store is different than your average retail outlet.
“You can’t just run it like a business, it’s like a ministry,” said Sutphin. “We’ve had people just come in and start crying, and they just need prayer. I tell folks, ‘God owns it, we just run it.'”
The Maryland businessman said his arrival to the Page Valley has received “so far a very positive response.” He noted that both he and his family “are loving the area,” before leading the group at the grand opening in prayer.
Faith Christian Stores of VA, located at 1412 U.S. Highway 211 West, is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Of course, they are closed on Sunday.
“It was meant to be,” said Chamber representative Clancy Arnold, “or you wouldn’t be here.”
For more information about Faith Christian Stores of Va,
visit their Facebook page .
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