Former owners buying back Christian Publishers Outlet brand

The former owners of Christian Publishers Outlet this week expect to repurchase the company branding rights.

Todd Link, who co-owns used Christian book store Redeemed Books & More with his parents Bill and Harolyn Link, said the family is in the final stages of buying CPO’s intellectual property, which includes its name and mailing lists.

Current owner Bruce Erdel told Springfield Business Journal in October the 4145 S. National Ave. store would close in two months due to the rise of Internet shopping and the decline of physical media cutting into its sales.

The Links owned CPO 1994-2002 before selling it to Erdel. They founded Redeemed across the street at 4140 S. National Ave. in 1998 and operated both stores until the sale.

Todd Link said CPO will vacate Twin Oaks Plaza shopping center as planned. Today is the final day of the lease, he said. After the transaction is complete, both stores will operate inside the Links’ building across National.

“We think evoking the CPO name will help tell the story of what we’re doing now,” Link said, declining to disclose financial terms of the deal.

He said Erdel sold 85 to 90 percent of CPO’s inventory in a close-out sale that ends today. In October, Erdel estimated that inventory was valued at $500,000.

Link said CPO signage would be put up along with the Redeemed name. At the joint store, the Links plan to sell both new and used books, movies and a small selection of gift items.