Sept. 11 opened new chapter for bookstore owner

"9/11 was a wake up call," Prickett said.

He decided to end his commute to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked as an information specialist, because it kept him too far away from his wife and home in Alexandria.

After sending out dozens of resumes for a job locally and not receiving any response, Prickett said he thought about other options.

"I just prayed a lot," he said.

He had never thought about opening a Christian bookstore before, but the idea came to him like an epiphany.

A deal on a set of furnishings appropriate for the store space he rented affirmed that he was on the right track.

He opened Logos Christian Bookstore, at 8131 U.S. 27, with Marie in April 2003.

"Logos" is the name of an association of 30 independent stores Prickett's store belongs to. Prickett said he stuck with the name because it is derived from the Greek word for the divine word of God.

The interdenominational store features an assortment of gifts, Bibles, books, music and church supplies such as choir robes, communion wafers and candles.

"People are looking for things that provide meaning to life," he said. "Things that provide substance rather than entertainment."

Nationally and locally known Christian authors and musicians on tour often visit the store. The Pricketts helped bring the characters Larry Boy and the Bad Apple from the VeggieTales videos to Alexandria's community center in July 2006.

It's satisfying that everything the store does goes back to the community on a positive note, Marie said.

"I love doing this...being able to sell something to somebody that will give back to their life," she said.

Alison Armstrong, 21, keeps coming back to the store because of the Pricketts' kindness.

"They always greet you," she said.

Armstrong, a member of First Assembly of God in Alexandria, purchases compact discs for herself at the store, but she's usually shopping for others.

"I buy gifts for other people," Armstrong said. "It's a way to minister to other people."