Leap of faith leads to Christian bookstore in Port

Susan Bares took a leap of faith when she opened Faith in Waves, a Christian bookstore in downtown Port Washington, last month.

She had been talking to the owners of Sonlight Books in Sheboygan about opening a branch of that Christian bookstore in Port, but things seemed to be stalled.

“I decided I’m going to do it on my own,” Bares said. “It’s a leap. I was scared (to go out on my own) but it’s my dream. And if I never tried it, I would always wonder.”

Bares, a Port Washington native and resident of Belgium, said it’s a dream she has had for more than 20 years.

Her dream became reality last month when Faith in Waves opened in a suite above Gallery 224 on Franklin Street in downtown Port.

The shop is bright and airy, with plenty of space to peruse the offerings, which include books, gifts, jewelry, journals, clothing and devotionals.

“This is a nice size,” Bares said. “I don’t want too much clutter. I want to keep it simple.”

While it’s a small shop, she said she is happy to special order items for customers if she doesn’t have them in stock.

Bares said she’s always enjoyed shopping at the small stores in Port and sees her store as a nice addition to the mix downtown.

“I always loved the atmosphere of these little stores,” she said. “I always thought it would be fun to be a part of that.”

Although Bares doesn’t have experiencing running a shop, she has plenty of experience in business.

She worked for years at Port Apothecary and has worked with her husband Paul at several family owned businesses, including years as the bookkeeper at CMS Inc. in Saukville.

Family is a basis for Bares’ shop. She and her husband are partners in the business, and she’s had plenty of help from family members in every aspect of the shop, from designing the logo — her niece Jenna Bares did that — to picking the inventory, making some of the gifts sold at the shop and staffing the store — her sister-in-law Amy Bares is the manager.

She named her business Faith in Waves to reflect the city’s lakeside location as well as the core of her shop — faith.

In addition to being active members of Cornerstone Church in Grafton, Bares said she’s taught Sunday school and worked as an assistant preschool teacher at St. John’s Lutheran School in Port Washington.

“I was brought up in the church, and we put God at the center of our home,” she said.

Her faith was tested through the years, Bares said, noting she lost both her parents when she was young and one of her sisters died six months before her mother.

“Either you run from Him or you grow closer to Him,” she said. “I turned to God. My faith is very important to me and my family.”

Her mission with the store, Bares said, is to be a light in the world.

“I just think we need to spread the word,” she said. “We need it in the world today — a little more love and not so much hate.

“I’ve met a lot of neat people so far. They open up and we have great conversations.”

And that, Bares added, is something she’s open to doing with people, just talk.

“There are a lot of people who are lonely and just want to talk to someone,” she said.

Faith in Waves represents all denominations, Bares said, adding she seeks unique items for the shop.

“I wanted a place where anyone can come in and browse,” she said. “I want everyone to feel welcome when they come here.”

Someday, she said, she would like to hold Bible studies at the store.

“Some people might feel more comfortable here than going to a church,” she said.

She would also like to have a book club that meets there regularly.

But for now, she’s happy just seeing her dream become reality and seeing where it takes her.

“There’s a lot to learn but I’ll get there,” she said.

She’s been pleased with the reception the shop has gotten so far, Bares said.

“We’re a little difficult to find because we’re upstairs,” she said. “But I have a few customers every day. I have to give it time. I think people are excited about this.

“And I love it.”