By Staff
Kim West
Name: Sal Blanco
Birthplace: Guatemala
Birthday: January 12
Position/Employer: Owner and music instructor, House of Faith Christian Bookstore &Music
Family: Wife Dina; three sons ages 24, 16 and nine years old
FCT: What made you decide to open this store?
SB: I came here two years ago and noticed a lot of people from different communities that didn't have a Christian bookstore or music store in Franklin County. I want to try and attract attention from both the Hispanic and American communities because we will carry items in both Spanish and English.
FCT: Where does your family attend church?
SB: We go to Iglesias Missioneria Restaurade Mana, a Pentecostal church here.
FCT: When is your grand opening, and what are your hours of operation?
SB: We will be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. because it's the grand opening. Our regular hours on Saturday will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. We will be open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. but our priority is the church – we don't want to miss church just to stay open. Monday through Friday we will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
FCT: What items does your store carry?
SB: We sell books, CDs, instruments and gift items. One unique instrument we will sell is the shofars, which a type of horn from Israel that I can play. We are also building a recording studio and we have rooms for music lessons. My son is in the marching band at Russellville, and he plays the drums and trumpet. He will teach bass guitar, drums, piano and the trumpet and one of his classmates will teach saxophone. I will teach guitar lessons.
FCT: Where did you work prior to becoming a business owner?
SB: I've been in trucking all my life but I was in an accident three years ago. I'm from Guatemala but I'm an American citizen, and I've driven through 46 states. I loved driving through Ohio and Indiana because the land there are no hills and mountains, which is so different in comparison to states like Colorado and California.
FCT: Do you enjoy reading?
SB: I read a lot, and I'm a missionary. Reading has changed my life, and it's my dream that everyone would enjoy reading because I think it gives you a peace of mind.
FCT: What kind of activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
SB: I'm a musician, and I play six instruments. I love fishing – my entire family loves to fish. The biggest fish I've caught here was probably 10 pounds, but when we fish, we usually catch and release. My favorite place to fish is the Mississippi River. In this county we like to go to Bear Creek Lake.