Nashville, Tennessee-based LifeWay Christian Resources plans to close all 170 of its bookstores nationwide this year, including its only Indianapolis location.
The Lifeway Christian Store at 5458 E. 82nd St. in Castleton Crossing is one of just two bookstores the chain has in Indiana. The other is in Fort Wayne.
The company said it planned to shift all operations online. The timetables for the closures would vary by store, but all would close by the end of the year, the company said.
“LifeWay is fortunate to have a robust publishing, events and church services business,” acting LifeWay CEO Brad Waggoner said last week in written comments. “Our retail strategy for the future will be a greater focus on digital channels, which are experiencing strong growth. LifeWay is moving into a new era with a strategic digital focus that will prepare us for the future and allow us to better serve our customers.”
LifeWay announced in January that it would close some stores because of declining customer traffic and sales.
“While we had hoped to keep some stores open, current market projections show this is no longer a viable option,” Waggoner said.
Lifeway, founded in 1891, sells Bibles, books, reference tools, Bible studies, children’s products, Christian music and movies, gifts and church supplies.
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