8550 Sheridan Dr
Williamsville, NY 14221
716-633-5757
email: benderschristian@gmail.com
Bender's is Permanently Closed
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After almost 70 years of serving the local community,
Bender’s Christian Store closed permanently at the end of January, 2023
When Richard & Jean Bender first opened Bender’s in their living room in 1953, they just wanted to serve the local community with Christian materials, and never expected for it to become the business that it became over the years.
It is with great sadness that we inform you that we are now closed. We thank you for almost 70 years of wonderful customer interactions and many happy memories.
Arden Bender, Richard & Jean’s son, who has worked at the store for 50 years and has managed the store since 1991, said it has close because he is ready to retire and also due to customer’s changing shopping habits. On-line and big box competition have made it very difficult for the "independent store” to stay in business. The costs of operating the business continue to increase while sales decrease.
We would like to thank the many loyal customers we have enjoyed knowing over the years. We’d also like to express our deep sense of grief over no longer being able to provide this service to our customers and our community that chose to shop, in-store.
We appreciate your prayers for us and the community- this is not a decision that we came to lightly. We are forever grateful for those customers who loved us and supported us in so many ways through the years. We have developed many wonderful friendships through this ministry, and we cherish them all. We have also been blessed with a dedicated staff through these 70 years who have contributed in many ways to our longevity as a business.
Our prayer is that someone with a heart for this type of store will come to the area and open a great new store that will meet the changing needs in the current buying culture.
May God bless all of you with a safe and blessed 2023!
ABOUT BENDER’S CHRISTIAN STORE
Bender’s Christian Store began in 1953 when Richard and Jean Bender saw a need for a suburban Christian Bookstore in the Buffalo area and operated out of their home for the first few years. They relocated to Transit Rd until 1985 when they moved to the present location on Sheridan Drive. Jean managed the store, raising their three children at the same time, while Richard pastored and worked as a mason contractor. Eventually, the business grew enough for Richard to become more involved while still pastoring a small church.
Since 1991, their son Arden, along with their son-in-law Raymond Slingerland, managed the store until Ray stepped down and retired in 2016. Richard Bender passed away in 1997, while Jean, at 92 years old, spends her summers in Western New York and her winters in Florida. Arden and his wife Joanne, are hoping to do some traveling and also spend more time with their family in Rochester and Pittsburgh.
Our Employees - January 2023
Where it all began in 1953. Richard & Jean Bender started in their living room, and then moved into half of their garage.