The Gile family began selling products in the late 1970s as a local office supply dealer in Upstate New York. In the late 1990s, we changed our focus to online retail. Today, we operate a group of online retail stores selling a range of products including office products, toys, school supplies and gift items.
Along the way, something amazing happened to our founder, Richard Gile, and his family. In December of 1980, Rick discovered the life changing impact of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In the ensuing years, this has had a profound impact on our family, both professionally and personally.
Rick Gile
Life is made up of stories. You may not realize it, but we relay our experiences to one another all the time. They can give our loved ones a sense of the past, our friends a glimpse of how we have reacted to life's changes. Or, tell a new acquaintance something about ourselves. Stories are really about the journey of life.
What you encounter as life passes are views of events that make up your past, while shaping your future. What you read here are merely a few of the stories that have shaped my life, so far.
Rick and his wife Olga live in upstate New York, close to their grandchildren. They work part-time with their sons after running a business for 37 years in the Albany area.
I ordered some markers through your Amazon store the other day. When they arrived I opened them and a “bookmark” fell out. I always have a book open somewhere so started to set it on my desk and thought to myself that the thank you was a nice touch. I assumed it had advertising on the back and maybe a discount offer on a future purchase, but instead of laying it down I decided to read it. The words “life changing impact of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ” jumped out at me and gripped my heart. That morning I had been on my face and called out to Jesus in a way I have not for some time. I told him I really needed to hear from him, encouragement, a word, anything. We have been blindsided bu multiple unusual and difficult challenges the past year that have left us weary in body and soul. When your little bookmark showed up with those words, Jesus used it to let me know that he hears the cries of my heart, that we are not forgotten, and that as bad as it can get on this earth, I always have the hope of eternity with him, which is much, much more than I deserve. Even if there were no promise of heaven, having Jesus live in me, and the privilege of walking with him has been worth everything. Thank you for being used by him, for saying yes all those years ago to the Divine Yes, and reminding me that he is more than enough. God bless you.