Orthodox bookstore/coffee . . . What would you want?

[Asinner]

If there were an Orthodox bookstore/coffeeshop in your town, what would you want to find in it?

What books?
Icons?
candles?
incense?
other paraphanalia?
coffee?

Any other thoughts?

God Bless :)

[eoe]

What books?
Icons?
candles?
incense?
other paraphanalia?
coffee?

Yes.

Any other thoughts?
Music - both written and recorded. High end olive oil and specialty food stuffs maybe. Jewelry?
Other than all the standard "stuff" I think having a regular schedule of speeches and discussions would be cool.

Gotta say that I think it would go over like a lead ballon tho. Simply not enough people to support it other than in heavily Orthodox areas - even then it could be seen as direct competition for the traditional church bookstore so even the Orthodox might be hesitant to shop there. Secular bookstores that are not Borders or Barnes and Noble are having a hard time and they are not so narrow in their approach. That is a very hard market to make any money at all in especially with the online market being as competitive as it is.

It sure would be neat to be able to walk in and have a cup of Joe and talk to Orthodox Christians in a casual setting tho.

[Nickolai]

I think most of the Orthodox coffee/bookstores that work work because they are attached to missions. They arn't coffee/bookstores primarily, they are Churches. It's mearly a good on the side outreach. This is not always the case though. I'm sure there are some that are only coffee/bookstores, with no actual jurisdictional affiliation, I just don't know of any.

Reader Nikolai

[choirfiend]

I would expect to see series of std church fathers translations, scholarly/historical books, prayer/service books, and then a huge section on family life, single life, children's resources, etc. Pietistic items such as prayer ropes and candles are great, but so would be a selection of cultural items (embroidery from Christian women in Palestine, pascha basket covers from Ukraine, Greek fisherman's caps, carved crosses from Kenya, etc.) I often see international gift shops in other churches with goods that are used to support third world countries. Getting items from monasteries and/or needy Christians would be my ideal

Plenty of free coffee, tea, and information/pamphlets.

Prominant displays for the IOCC and OCMC campaigns with explanations of how they money is used, too.

Generalized non-Orthodox "fluff" books on Christian topics would be good.

[Asinner]

The town I live in has no other bookstores, is heavily Catholic, including a Catholic College.

God Bless :)

[Teke]

Sure would be nice to have one around here where I live (south Louisiana where Katrina hit). Most Orthodox who live here, don't even know where there is an Orthodox church. Except for one of the oldest Greek ones here in New Orleans, which the Patriarch visisted after Katrina, to check on damage.

A family from Lebanon found us and was glad they did, because of the longer trip across the lake to the Greek Orthodox church and they live closer to us on the northshore of Lake Ponchartrain from New Orleans.

I find whatever I can online for our church and our reading. We've started a sort of Orthodox corner in our fellowship room (just a bookshelf presently). We make prayer beads and veils, as well as vigil candles with icons depicted on them. And we try to keep a good stock of literature available.

When I converted I found it surprising that even a Roman catholic bookstore did not have any lace veils. We do keep some veils by the entrance doors for those who wish to wear something on their head. Of course everyone has their preference.

Since I do sew, I took an interest in the making of some veils. And have discovered quite a variety of head coverings.

[gtsecc]

A Diedrch roaster set up to roast the coffee daily.

http://www.diedrichroasters.com/graphics/ir3tt.jpg

http://www.diedrichroasters.com/graphics/ir7-t.jpg

[Asinner]

A Diedrch roaster set up to roast the coffee daily.

http://www.diedrichroasters.com/graphics/ir3tt.jpg

http://www.diedrichroasters.com/graphics/ir7-t.jpg


:thumbsup:

[Asinner]

Excellent ideas everyone. Thank you and keep them coming.

God Bless :)

[Mary of Bethany]

Just order 2 of everything from the Light and Life catalog. :D

mary

[EricTheRed]

Yea, if there is not a bookstore near you ( I am blessed to have one attached to the cathedral) then the internet is your best friend.

[Michael the Iconographer]

Icon Note Cards.