At the end of this year, the Kerusso Christian Outlet Store on Passion Play Road will be gone, but the company is not going anywhere. The nation’s leading brand of Christian themed apparel, jewelry and accessories is thriving at its 12-acre campus and headquarters in Berryville and will be unaffected by the closing.
Kerusso Founder and CEO, Vic Kennett, told the Independent, “After more than 25 years of retail in Eureka Springs we’ve decided to retire the store. I thank Genus and Sherry Bland and the Walden group for being such great landlords for so many years.
“I also thank the community for supporting us, and the wonderful people who have worked at the store over the past 25 years – especially Mary!”
Store manager Mary Weems is retiring along with the store, and she’s not going anywhere, either. She’s looking forward to more time as grandma and more road trips, but will miss working with Jeanne Williams and Kay Peterson. “They have been wonderful help in the shop for many, many years,” Mary said. “I have been blessed with a lot of friendships across my counter over the years. After 18 years of being in the shop I enjoyed people remarking that they were happy to see I was still in place. And I have the best boss on the planet! There’s a great team spirit in the company, it’s been wonderful.”
Kerusso Christian Outlet’s clearance/closing sale begins Friday, Nov. 29, with 40 percent off storewide, including all store fixtures. The store is closed on Sundays and otherwise open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and until 7 p.m. on Fridays. In addition to Kerusso products, the store carries books, inspirational greeting cards, Bibles and gifts.
In a way, the brick and mortar outlet was a singular gift to the area as the company’s only outlet. In addition to being marketed online, Kerusso product is normally shipped all over the world to be sold in pharmacies and truck stops to Walmart and Bed, Bath and Beyond.
It’s an impressive local success story, considering Eureka Springs High grad, Vic Kennett, started it all by printing t-shirts in his bedroom. From there he established Kerusso in 1987 and now heads one of the more important employers in Carroll County, with 140 people working at the Berryville plant.
After the outlet closes, Kerusso t-shirts will still be available at Just Between Friends in downtown Eureka, The Great Passion Play gift shop, and Forest Hill Restaurant. And online shopping is always open at www.kerusso.com.
In the Greek, Kerusso means “to herald (as a public crier), especially the Divine Truth; to preach, proclaim, or publish.” As such, Kerusso product continues spreading the Good News across the globe.