Plaque recognizes Elder Ashton for innovative bookstore idea
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A plaque honoring Elder Marvin J. Ashton, who died last February, was presented to his wife, Norma Ashton, at the grand-opening ceremony of the newest Deseret Book store on Sept. 24.
Elder Ashton, a member of the Council of the Twelve at the time of his death, was chairman of the board for Deseret Book.President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Council of the Twelve participated in the ceremony. Each spoke, paying tribute to Elder Ashton and his family, and shared the scissors to cut the ribbon, officially opening the store. Elder Ballard is currently chairman of the board of Deseret Book.
The store in the Fort Union Family Center in Salt Lake County is the result of Elder Ashton's dream of Deseret Book superstores, according to Carolyn Christensen, an administrative assistant at Vidalakis Investment Trust. Vidalakis, which manages the Fort Union Family Center, presented the plaque.
The plaque recognized that Elder Ashton's "leadership, insight and inspiration were important in the creation of the Deseret Book superstore concept," and also acknowledged the support and encouragement he received from his wife and family.
The new 22,000-square-foot store includes unique features such as a lesson preparation area, reading areas, music-listening booths and an area of emergency essentials material, according to store manager Russ Morley. He said that because of its size, the new store was able to include the added features.
