Christian bookstore owner retiring and selling his outlet to church

After more than four decades in business, the owner of a Christian bookstore about an hour south of Washington, D.C., is retiring.

Buz Jewell of Logos Book Store in suburban Fredericksburg, Virginia, expects to sell off his remaining inventory by early October. He has sold selling the store—at one time one of the state’s largest Christian outlets—to Mount Hope Baptist Church.

Jewell started at his original location in 1975. His entry into business followed involvement with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship while in college at William & Mary. Jewell served as literature chairman, a position that included selling books at chapter meetings.

A profile in the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star told of Jewell working at several jobs after college, but always wanting to own his own business. After he heard about a Christian bookstore being for sale, his father helped with the purchase.

Jewell said in addition to selling Communion supplies, Sunday school curriculum, church supplies, he has helped customers seeking solace. They included a truck driver unable to forgive himself for past actions despite becoming a Christian, and a man whose wife had left him.

“You don’t have to go far to find people who are hurting,” Jewell said.