Small Town Sporting Goods Stores

[Finsandtines]

Interesting post... I have often thought about doing something similar and was very close to pulling the trigger recently as there are really not any small box hunting stores/shops in my area. I drive a little further than dicks, bass pro and gander mountain to go to a tiny little archery shop 40 minutes away. Comraderie and Service is what brings me back every time and why I avoid the big box stores when I can. It is really hard to swap hunting stories and have legitimate conversations with very young and immature adults that don't know how to provide good customer service like at most big box stores. I would also rather go to a local hardware store that's been open for 50 years than Home Depot any day. I am all for supporting local small business!

I look at this as the glass being half full. As long as you have the right people, the right mindset, and a sound business plan, you can make anything work anywhere. In my opinion I think being able to adapt and evolve is truly the key to surviving in small business. The problem with most people is they fail to evolve and if you don't evolve you will become extinct! If there is no money to be invested by you and a sound business plan is in place, I say go for it and I wish you the best of luck.

 

[buckbull]

Lots of good advice here. I just don't see how a population of 4000 could support a brick and mortar storefront. Your other big problem is that you will have seasonal buyers and how do you survive during the slow season. Our local archery shop couldn't stay open and the 20 mile radius of his shop has around 250,000 people (although not the only shop within the radius). I buy everything online looking for the best deal, since my divorce I'm pretty broke and unfortunately price has to trump other things like customer service and camaraderie. I think your only chance would be to focus on Internet sales and sell unique products that Wal-Mart, Cabelas, etc don't sell. You can't compete against the big box stores on price.

 

[JimP]

Interesting post. As always I learned a lot. My son is looking at attending the Trinidad State gunsmithing course and this casts a little doubt on his plan and confirms the thought on it being a secondary type of job. .

A shop that had a competent gunsmith would be a huge plus if he does decide to go into that type of business. There are not nearly enough gunsmiths to go around and if you are good at what you do the gun nuts will beat a path to your door.

You do have to remember that a gunsmith isn't like a retail shop owner, they are specializing in the repair or modifying of firearms and for even the small jobs that a competent firearm owner can do will be taken to a smith to take care of. Heck, they can even make money just off of cleaning rifles after the season is over. I just wished that I had a good one within a quick drive of where I live. I need to rechamber a .25-06 to Ackley Improved version and can't find anyone that is willing to take on the task.

 

[crzy_cntryby]

Adding an online store to the store front or finding a way to be a distributor might help augment sales? I shop mom and pops. Not everyone does.

 

[Hilltop]

I just went and toured the building over lunch. It has 4 main rooms. Room 1 is 92 feet by 30 feet ( thinking archery/pistol range ). The second one beside it is 55 feet by 25 feet (thinking retail area). The third is 20 feet by 25 feet (Storage/excess inventory) The fourth would make a large office. Our plan is to take the next 2-3 months and do a pile of research. I appreciate the time taken to respond by many on this thread. I will update in a few months to let you know if we decide to go through with it.

 

[JimP]

If you decide that you want a indoor pistol range you need to check with the town to see if they have any requirements for it. A big one that I can think of would be fresh air ventilation from the outside and exhaust fans to remove the old air. Not to mention the backstops and possibly side protection to keep bullets from exiting the building if a accident should occur.

 

[packmule]

Adding an online store to the store front or finding a way to be a distributor might help augment sales? I shop mom and pops. Not everyone does.

I have some relatives who've gone that route and they've built quite the online presence. It really helped get people in the store as well that were just passing through the area.

 

[Slugz]

A shop that had a competent gunsmith would be a huge plus if he does decide to go into that type of business. There are not nearly enough gunsmiths to go around and if you are good at what you do the gun nuts will beat a path to your door.
/QUOTE]

I agree...we have discussed this numerous times but it was hard for us to put a business plan together to validate our thoughts. I feel like that here and I'm 25 some odd miles NE of the Springs. I have no one I can take stuff to and trust.

 

[tim]

just remember 80% of your business will be from 20% of your products. this rule holds in all forms of retail sales.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

A shop that had a competent gunsmith would be a huge plus if he does decide to go into that type of business. There are not nearly enough gunsmiths to go around and if you are good at what you do the gun nuts will beat a path to your door.
/QUOTE]

I agree...we have discussed this numerous times but it was hard for us to put a business plan together to validate our thoughts. I feel like that here and I'm 25 some odd miles NE of the Springs. I have no one I can take stuff to and trust.

Good gunsmiths are really hard to find. I drive 100 miles to New Mexico for the one I use. If I was younger, I would go to GS school, I am sure I could make a good living smithing.

 

[mallardsx2]

With the internet and block targets running a store is a tough business.

Good luck if you try it!