20 April 18 - May 1, 2009
Business
www.SanTanSun.com
Christian bookstore serves up tea, inspiration
by Sharon Schnakenburg a scone and some tea,” she adds.
Some might think taking a Christian bookstore and Scones are served in
blending in both a gift shop and tea store yields an chocolate chip and cranberry
unlikely concoction. However, it makes perfect sense raisin fl avors, while Danishes
to Inspirations Christian Bookstore & Tea Shoppe might tempt others’ palates. Or,
owner Linda Turkiewicz, who opened her business visitors might opt for a slice of
with sister Debbie last Thanksgiving. cheesecake instead, served in
“I always had a dream to run a Christian bookstore Heath Bar, Butterfi nger, white
and gift shop that would be a ministry, and my sister chocolate chip, turtle, pumpkin
always had a dream to run a tea party shop. So we spice or sugar-free strawberry
opened it together,” shares Turkiewicz, who served varieties. For the more nutrition-
as children’s pastor for 33 years at Grace Community minded, Turkiewicz plans
Church and Arizona Community Church in Tempe. to add lunchtime salads and
“We felt that anything that has to do with Jesus sandwiches to Inspirations’ fare
Christ is an inspiration,” says Turkiewicz of the shop’s sometime in the future.
name, “and we were hoping that what we carry in the Meanwhile, tea parties are
shop would be an inspiration to somebody else.” offered “for ages 4 to 92,” though
Those who enter the nondenominational Christian the children’s tea is decaf. Those
bookstore and gift shop sections of Inspirations booking a tea party can select an
will fi nd several varieties of Bibles, along with study
STSN photo
antique teacup from the shop’s
guides, church curriculum and materials, fi ction and
INSPIRATIONAL: Inspirations Christian Bookstore & Tea Shoppe owner Linda Turkiewicz,
collection, use it during their tea
nonfi ction reading, reference books, vacation bible seated, with My-Lea Popovich, left, and Andrea Courtney, right, sell gifts and tea in party and then take it home as
school curriculum, devotionals and more. Journals
Southern Chandler.
a gift. All the tea accessories,
and inspirational art adorn the shelves. Art by local and international vendors, along with including teapots and infusers,
Patrons will see “faith-based clothing” with stuffed animals and kids’ toys are also mainstays at are available for purchase.
inspirational slogans for infants through adults, such Inspirations, as is the Children’s Corner play area. Inspirations Christian Bookstore & Tea Shoppe is
as a child’s T-shirt featuring a frog and the wording Adults can relax, too, in front of the oil-burning located at 1095 W. Queen Creek Rd., Suite 8, in The
“Froggive each other.” Jeans, sweatshirts, hoodies and fi replace while they read a book or magazine. Falls at Ocotillo Shopping Center. Business hours
hats are also available. Meanwhile, further relaxation is available at the are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9
Those who want to stop at the Media Burn Bar will Inspirations tea bar, where 61 varieties of tea are a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, call
fi nd more than 10,000 CDs and 115,000 songs, along served. 480-786-4521 or visit www.inspirationsaz.com.
with many video games, audio books and more, that “It’s all loose leaf, and we also do green tea
can be burned onto a new CD within fi ve minutes. smoothies,” details Turkiewicz.
Sharon Schnakenburg is a freelance writer who can be reached
“That way, you can make your own album of songs Tea is served steaming hot or ice cold.
at Sharon@SanTanSun.com.
that are your favorites,” Turkiewicz notes. “You can grab a cup and go, or you can sit and enjoy
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