A final sale – 90 percent off merchandise – is underway as part of the May 31 closing of Abilene Educational Supply and Christian Bookstore, a landmark “hometown style” business owned since Abilene Christian University purchased it in 1959.
Plans were announced in November 2010 to close the business on Campus Court, across the street from Sewell Theatre. The dynamic growth of online products and chain store competitor offerings across town contributed to shrinking sales in the one-story building just south of Bitsy’s Flowers and north of offices for ACU Police and ACU Press.
For years, AES was a regular stop for many campus visitors during Homecoming, Bible Teachers Workshop and Summit (formerly known as Bible Lectureship), and a popular place for local teachers to look for supplies. AES offered sidewalk sales and refreshments to lure shoppers inside during periods of peak traffic on campus, and hosted book-signing parties for local authors.
“The store has proudly and faithfully served the Abilene community and teachers in the surrounding region for more than six decades. We’ve been a great resource for churches and families,” Anthony Williams, ACU’s chief auxiliary officer, told the Abilene Reporter-News in a November 2010 story.
Anthony told The Optimist that some of AES’ Christian-themed products may be stocked in The Campus Store, the university’s robust retail establishment in the McGlothlin Campus Center.