Ave Maria Libraria not just a store for books and gifts, but a ministry

Name of business: Ave Maria Libraria

Owner: Tammy Needy

Address: Penn Avenue Shopping Center, 13144 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown

Opening date: April 19, 2011

Products and services: The store carries religious items for inspiration, including Bibles, books on church history and theology, Marian and saints. It sells rosaries, medals, holy communion and baptismal gifts, DVDs, CDs and handpainted statues from Peru.

Target market: Catholics

How did you get into your business, and what motivated you to start it? With the number of Catholics growing in our Tri-State area, the importance of opening a small gift store was led by prayer and guidance from the Holy Spirit. The slogan on the store’s door reads, “Open the door to your soul.” I have been blessed to have met wonderful faith-filled folks with many joys and sorrows, and have been inspired by their life journey stories as they open up their souls and share. Ave Maria Libraria is more than a bookstore and gift store, it’s a ministry.

Previous business experience: None

Number of employees: One

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone number: 240-347-4809