Selling merchandise was merely a functional means of achieving those pious ends. We needed a way to pay the rent, Denison said.
Eight years later, prayer meetings are still held regularly in a small area that doubles as a dressing room. The rest of the store has been filled with merchandise.
Initially, Denison said they sold inspirational and encouraging gifts but eventually, they branched out to offer specialty items such as smoked fish, products from Cherry Republic and Grand Traverse Pie Company, and Michigan-themed novelty items such as shirts and mugs â all produced in the U.S.
Denison said she and her husband, Jim, chose to stock these types of products after considering what items they personally travel long distances to purchase.