COLUMBIA — The St. Francis Catholic Shop has found a new home.
The store is moving into a smaller space in the same shopping center where it is currently located, said Maureen Weigold, who runs the business with her husband, Deacon Greg Weigold.
The Weigolds had planned to close at the end of February because of lagging sales due to the economic downturn. They have run the store since 2005.
The shop is a main source of Catholic items for people in the Midlands and beyond, and offers Bibles, statues, rosaries and other merchandise. Customers can also put in special orders.
The Weigolds learned from their landlord that a tenant in the shopping center was moving out. They will take over the smaller space of 1,100 square feet, compared to their current area of 2,100 square feet.
“This is wonderful for us to be able to go on, because we’ve always looked at the shop as a ministry,” Mrs. Weigold said. “This is definitely a Godsend. I’ve been feeling like I’ve been on a roller coaster, and I want to get off. This came around at the right time.”
She noted that the store will remain open for business while they paint the new place and move inventory. The goal is to open by the third week of March.
“We’re going to try to keep the store open as much as possible because we’re getting into confirmation season now,” Mrs. Weigold said. “We’re encouraging people to go ahead and place their orders.”
She noted the busy Holy Communion season also is approaching.
Along with the shop, the couple will continue to travel in two trucks to hold weekend sales of Catholic items at parishes and diocesan events around the state.
St. Francis’ new address will be 647 St. Andrews Road. The current address is 655 St. Andrews Road, in the same shopping center as the Display Center appliance store.
The business will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Visit www.stfrancisshop.com or call (803) 561-9733.