Faith Keeps Fueling Robbinsdale’s Osterhus Printing and Bookstore

Osterhus Printing and Bookstore in Robbinsdale is one of the few remaining locally-run Christian bookstores in the Twin Cities. They’ve supplied bibles, Sunday School literature, and much more to local churches. The store and shop have been located at 4500 West Broadway Avenue for more than 100 years.

“People almost every week say I drive by here all the time, but I never stop in. So they stop in,” said Rhonda Harmon, bookstore manager.

Harmon says every week she also hears words of gratitude from customers.

“That’s another thing we would hear every week, we are so glad that you are still here. Every week we hear that from customers,” said Harmon. “I think we serve a purpose here and I don’t think God’s finished with us yet.”

Rhonda Harmon is the manager of the bookstore at Osterhus Printing & Bookstore.

David Osterhus keeps the books for the store and shop. At nearly 89 years old, he doesn’t mince words with how the shop is doing.

“Struggling,” said Osterhus. “We cannot survive if we cut our prices to Amazon prices.”

Osterhus says the shop needs more customers.

The business just was dealt another blow. The man described as the heart and soul of the print shop, Dan Osterhus, died in December.

“We thought he would make it through COVID. I got sick as well. He got sick,” said Brandon Kidder, a graphic designer who worked in the same office at Osterhus Printing and Bookstore. “He truly impacted everyone that met him. This was his heart, his life. It meant so much to him.”

The looming question for many is what’s next for the small, family-run business?

“Locally the Osterhus’ have been here for so many years. This is their heart. They love the community. They love serving the community,” said Kidder. “This is a special place. It’s the lighthouse.”

There’s a lighthouse outside of the building, and just like a lighthouse weathers the storm, people who work at the shop have faith this business will too.

“It’s been amazing to see how God has supplied and provided when all other bookstores have been closing down,” said David Osterhus.

Robbinsdale