My Dad owned a sporting goods store/gun shop for over 40 years. It was not in a strip mall and before big box stores. H e sold guns, ammunition, boats & outboard engines, athletic goods, fishing tackle & camping gear. He also rented guns (yep...it was legal then), camping gear and small outboards. My Grandfather ran it and did rod & reel repair. Dad rented a local home garage and had a taxidermist there. The store did everything. I started working there when I was 12, sweeping floors, dusting, cleaning glass and stocking shelves. I worked in there off and on until he closed it.
Eventually Dad closed the store in 1985 when he just couldn't compete with the big box stores and he wanted to retire. Dad was an aerospace engineer during the day and worked it evenings and Saturdays.
The picture is my Grandfather and was taken in 1955. Gramps retired from the railroad and ran the store during the day.
Eventually Dad closed the store in 1985 when he just couldn't compete with the big box stores and he wanted to retire. Dad was an aerospace engineer during the day and worked it evenings and Saturdays.
The picture is my Grandfather and was taken in 1955. Gramps retired from the railroad and ran the store during the day.