Although it’s still His Place Christian Bookstore, the established Oak Harbor business will now officially be her place.

Jill Farnsworth took over ownership of the bookstore on March 1 from longtime owner Joan Nienhuis, who ran the business for more than three decades.

Nienhuis will remain a fixture in the Oak Harbor community, if not in the store. “I look forward to more time for teaching and catching up on reading,” she said.

Taking up the reins was natural for Farnsworth, having worked on and off for Nienhuis for 14 years. Customer service was always her bag, but she is quickly receiving a crash course in running a small business.

“I definitely know the customer service part,” she said. “Now I’m learning everything else. There’s a lot more than I thought.”

Farnsworth is up to the task. Transferring accounts from owner to owner was not a walk in the park, but it has been taken care of and business is rolling along. And rolling along with a familiar face behind the counter.

“Everybody has been really wonderful,” she said. “All of the customers have come in and said, ‘Oh, we’re so happy that you are the one who took over.’”

The former employee initially sat back and waited to see who would purchase the business. In the end, she felt the call and stepped in.

“I didn’t know who was going to buy it,” Farnsworth said. “And then when it was me I was excited, but definitely nervous. Joan’s been here a long time and she has a good reputation.”

Farnsworth has helped build that reputation over the years. She will continue to offer a full-service Christian bookstore to the community with many inspirational products exclusive to the business.

The new owner also plans to expand the store’s line of gifts and an espresso bar and reading area will soon complement the wide selection of reading material and other products.

“By Holland Happening we should have our espresso bar up and running,” she said. Her two daughters, Katie and Kellie, will serve as baristas.

Purchasing the business was not a certainty, as Farnsworth’s husband, Bob, will retire this summer after 30 years in the Navy. In the end, however, the acquisition made sense.

“That was the big obstacle in considering not doing it,” she said.

Between her husband, daughters, her son Kevin, and sons-in-law, Farnsworth will not be shorthanded. Ro Cuthbertson will also log in time behind the counter.

“Ro is my right hand woman,” Farnsworth said.

The new owner knows her business and with a solid customer base firmly behind her, as well as an injection of her own ideas and improvements, His Place should continue to be a welcome fixture in Oak Harbor.

“You have to make sure you know your customer and cater to what they’re looking for,” she said. “That was my part before, being out there in front. That’s where I think everybody has been really supportive. They’re seeing me and I think it’s comforting and reassuring to them.”

His Place is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The business, located at 328 SE Pioneer Way, can be reached at 675-1430.