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Contact: Karen Steele
(616)676-9185 x100
ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup. com
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Grand Rapids, Mich. (January 7, 2014)—In August 1939, Herman Baker opened a small retail bookstore on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One year later, Baker ventured into publishing and released More Than Conquerors by Dr. William Hendriksen. Today, Baker Book House is a thriving retail store and Baker Publishing Group is one of the top three Christian publishers in the country. The Baker Book House Company is pleased to announce that in 2014 it will be celebrating its diamond anniversary of 75 years as a family-owned business.
To commemorate the occasion, Baker is hosting an open house at the Baker Book House store onApril 24, a reception at the BookExpo America Convention in New York City in May, and a dinner during the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta in June. The Baker Book House Story will be published in March and will highlight many of the notable people and events in Baker’s history.
The Baker Book House Company anticipates a bright future even as it celebrates the past 75 years. The company’s passion remains the same, reflecting the words of founder Herman Baker: “We love to sell a good book. There is no better business to be in.” Current President Dwight Baker adds, “We have been blessed during every single year in this business, particularly in our relationships with the gifted people who serve the world through Christian books. This profession attracts many dedicated companions who pursue a common mission.”
About the Baker Book House Company
Over the past 75 years, the Baker Book House Company has undergone many changes. The retail store, Baker Book House, which moved to Kentwood, Michigan, in 1980, underwent a major renovation in 2012 and is now a state-of-the-art facility that offers a full line of new and used Christian books and features a sound stage, coffee shop, used bookstore, and music area.
Baker Publishing Group, the publishing division of the Baker Book House Company, has also experienced many changes. In 1960, Baker constructed a 25,000-square-foot facility in Ada, Michigan, to house the publishing offices and warehouse. Since then, this location has expanded three times. Through growth and acquisitions, Baker Publishing Group has become a successful publishing house that encompasses six divisions that operate from Ada, Michigan, and Bloomington, Minnesota.
Founder Herman Baker was actively involved with the company from 1939 until his retirement in 1987. In 1987, Richard Baker, Herman’s oldest son, took over the role of president and expanded the company through acquisitions that included the purchase of the Fleming H. Revell Company and Chosen Books. After ten years as president, Richard Baker retired, and his oldest son, Dwight Baker, stepped in to fill the role of president. Dwight has continued to lead the company through the acquisition of Bethany House Publishers and a myriad of changes in the publishing profession.
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i am a Church Librarian in a small Church in Pleasant Grove and I attended a Library Conference at Center Baptist Church in Decatur, Ala. this past Saturday. I just wanted to say, “thank you” for any material or books you sent. They were much appreciated and will be a welcome addition to our library!