When Ruth Corcoran, owner of Michael’s Catholic Gift Shop was asked by a Jesuit Brother of the Columbiere Center, to move her shop from Waterford to Columbiere, she gladly accepted.
‘I meet a lot of nice people. I love being around the community of the Jesuits, actually they are good customers,? said Corcoran. ‘I often order books for them because they read a lot. They also get a discount if they go through the store, which helps them and helps me.?
The store sells movies, jewelry, T-shirts, crosses, pictures, coffee cups, books, variety of greeting cards, as well as items for baptism, first communion, and confirmation. She offers boys’ suits for first communion, and soon dresses, she said.
‘I don’t just carry Catholic items, but also self help books, as well as Protestant books and just good Christian reading,? said Corcoran. ‘I pretty much stay up on all the new releases of Christian books.?
She also carries personal items, such as shampoo, conditioners, and shaving razors for people who are at ‘Insight? drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, located at Columbiere.
Corcoran opened her first shop on Dixie Highway two years ago after her husband of 37 1/2 years passed away. She used the insurance money to open up the gift shop. She made it a Catholic shop due to her personal faith and named the store after her husband.
‘You get to meet a lot of good people and you’re evangelizing all at the same time,? said Corcoran. ‘I love being here because you’re in the most holy place you could possibly be. And second of all, I think it gives me something to look forward to everyday, since I lost my husband.?
Corcoran closed her store in Waterford and moved to Columbiere on July 4 and was open for business July 6. She thought she might have difficulties fitting everything from the old store on the shelves of the new store, but she didn’t.
‘I had no problem,? she said. ‘It’s like everything was made to be here in this store.?
Corcoran has five children, all of whom are married. Christine, Michael, and Missy are Clarkston residents. Lauri resides in Grand Rapids and Katy lives in upstate New York. Corcoran also has 11 grandchildren.
The shop, located at 9075 Big Lake Road, is open Mon – Thurs 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Fri ? Sat 8:30 a.m. ? 4 p.m. For more information call 248- 620- 2516.