Bookstore

Scheduled to open in September, 2013 ~ Watch for us!

Interested in Working at St. Pauls?

Click Here for an Application

What is St. Paul's Study and why do we exist? The details are listed below, read as much or as little as you wish. Please come by and have a cup of coffee with us, borrow a book from our lending library, buy a few gifts for family and friends, or all of the above! Watch for the "We're open" sign in front of the Little Old Blue House on Main Street (across from Bank of Zachary).

St. Paul’s Study – Book Store – Religious Goods – Coffee Shop – Internet Café

Small business enterprise to provide supplemental revenues exclusively dedicated to the

capital campaign for the construction of our new church: Continuing the Legacy of Faith.

Although, ideally, this could be a long-term business venture for the church, the short-term goal is to develop and utilize an existing, church-owned building--with a Main Street presence—to provide: a) a much-needed resource for the Christian community at-large, and b) generate revenues for the construction costs of our new place of worship. The business venture as planned would exist only until such time as the house in which it is occupied would be razed or moved to another location. It is important to note that, at present, there is no such business located within at least twenty miles, thereby making competition a non-issue.

It may be necessary to incrementally add services so as to keep operating costs at a minimum. Initially, however, St. Peter’s Library will operate as a coffee shop—“with more," but always portrayed as a safe, faith-based business with appropriate themes and environment.

Because the general public depends on technology as if it were an umbilical cord, having Internet Wi-Fi and limited computer services is essential. The addition of retail sales of religious articles, bibles, religious books and related merchandise will slowly be phased in. This inventory will include Catholic and non-Catholic items to serve the entire community and maximize revenues.

At little or no cost to the operation would also be the development of a library, which will include videos, books, CDs, DVDs, etc. all housed in a reading room which is be separate from the retail areas (This is an old house with several rooms; sub-dividing for multiple uses is very easy).

Phase I includes the acquisition of specialty coffee service equipment (provided at no charge by Community Coffee of Louisiana, as long as we purchase the product from them) to provide competitively priced refreshments to patrons.

Minimal refrigeration equipment, display cases and commercial furnishings will be sought—hopefully as in-kind donations from parishioners of St. John the Baptist.

The installation of a network server, Wi-Fi distribution equipment, a printer, and up to three desktop computers, as well as a moderate inventory of religious articles, books and other Catholic/Christian merchandise have been initiated.

Comfortable furnishings, hopefully also donated, will be used in the library, coffee shop and "back porch" area, providing nook-like areas for individuals or groups. A computer work station has been installed to allow patrons limited time on a desktop PC, with the ability to print--in color.

Inmates at Louisiana State Penitentiary have constructed solid wooden bookshelves to display books and merchandise throughout the facility. To help cut pre-opening costs, there are a number of bookshelves on casters already on campus at St. John the Baptist; these can be used in the retail space. It may be necessary to purchase a few items for the business but only after all other resources have been exhausted.

The first pool of staff (all part-time) will be students who are active in Religious Education and Youth Ministry at St. John the Baptist, who maintain an above-average GPA in school, and who demonstrate through an extensive interview process a true desire to strengthen their spiritual life through service and outreach to the community of Zachary, promoting their faith and who also exercise superior customer service skills. All candidates for this specialized venture would have to effectively “audition” for the position in which they are applying. True employees will be paid minimum wage and those who work in coffee service center would also be entitled to cash tips offered by patrons.

The second pool of staff (volunteers) will be those who are required to accrue community and church service hours and who, again, meet the minimum expectations of St. Paul’s Study. These volunteers would be subject to the same interview process.

The third pool of staff or more precisely, supporters, will be parishioners: members of various church organizations, retired, widowed, or who otherwise have free time to offer as their stewardship to St. John the Baptist. One such potential volunteer is a recently retired school librarian who, because of her expertise in the field, can provide an invaluable service to both the library and the bookstore. Another retired teacher, who urged us to develop a church lending library a number of years ago, is also on board to help us with the project.

Management will be coordinated through Ric Smith at the parish office. It may eventually be necessary to place a full-time manager who can be dedicated only to this venture but, in the first phase.

For now, it is anticipated that there is no real need to open earlier than 10 AM, Monday through Saturday (Never open on Sundays!) and likely not after 8 PM. This schedule would provide for a 10-hour day, with two 5-hour, part-time shifts. Based on community response, hours can be expanded as deemed necessary.

At all times, the purpose of this enterprise will be to establish and maintain a community presence as a strong Catholic community, with a continued drive to build our new place of worship. Therefore, it will provide invaluable opportunities to showcase our new building through architectural renderings, 3-D models and perhaps come of the contents to be placed in the new church. These items will provide the artwork for the walls and some of the décor. Additionally, we hope to soon re-create the Lucite church that was once used at St. John to collect additional funds earlier in our capital campaign. Other collateral materials can remain showcased until such time as the building needs to be removed.

As stated in the opening statements, we will provide a much-needed service to the entire Christian community by providing literature and merchandise that is attractive and beneficial for all Christians who wish to strengthen their faith lives.

Finally, who doesn't need a great cup of Community Coffee! Drop by and visit with us soon!

Send mail to webmaster@sjb-ola.org with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: 05/07/14

Send mail to webmaster@sjb-ola.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 05/07/14