http://www.kpvi.com/Global/story.asp?S=9974818

Too bad... Of course, the shelves at our store have been empty now for months. Survival of the fittest and all that crap aside, I'd be sorry to see our store go.

--Duck911

The guys behind the counter at SW stores here in Colorado kept telling me people were buying all the shooting stuff faster than they could keep it in stock--I have been wondering if there was more to it..........


Casey

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_139450.asp

I guess they are not coming to WNY!

That company has internal problems which wouldn't go away no matter how much money is/was pumped into it.

You simply cannot operate that many stores spread out over that wide of a geographical area and expect to supply them in a meaningful way in the outdoor sporting goods business. All the capital in the world would never change their financial position until they develop a chain of distro centers. Of course now, we'll never know.

All along, it was their stupid system of distribution that shackled their ankles. They trucked everything to every store from one warehouse here in Utah. The delays, inefficiency and cost of diesel implicit in that system would kill ANY chain of stores.

Rocky you confirmed my suspicions about their distribution system. Whenever I went to the store in Casper and they were out of something, they could never tell you when it would be available again. The store manager told me Lodge cast iron came in one shipment every fall.

The Lacey store is usually out of anything popular. I can understand that it's tough to stock primers now, but they are also always out of brass, bullets, .22lr ammo, and .22WMR ammo.

If you can't walk into a mega-store and buy a box of .22lr, you'll eventually stop trying.

I believe Bass Pro supplies all of their stores from Springfield, Mo. so they have trucks running coat to coast.

There is always more to it. In his recession there is not enough business for every "BOX" store. There will be more closures to come from other chains..I'm betting its Gander Mtn. or at least they will close many stores.

Doc

SW was in trouble long before the economy tanked.

I remember back when it was a 3-4 store deal (UT & ID). You had to wait in line to handle guns, wait in line for CS, wait in line to check out. I spend $4-5k/year there easy in the early years.
Once they started to rapidly expand store numbers, shelves were bare - and gone were the lines.

The last time even entered the local store was over a year ago - and the last time I spent $$ was likely a year before that. You gotta sell a passel of discount clothes to make up for losing a $5k/year customer.

The most ironic part of all this is that Stu was a distributor that started a store, not the other way around. He should have known better...

Talked to a guy this weekend that was security consultant for our local store. He had caught the manager stealing, upper management was notified and refused to do anything about it so my freind quit. He also told me Cabelas is on the way here so SW is just deciding to cut it's losses now instead of later.

I can't say I've ever had an issue with store employees - they've always been genuine and (surprisingly) honest about their frustrations getting merchandise.

The issue comes back to that one distribution warehouse in Midvale (which is smaller than some individual Wal-Mart stores).

In the early days they kept a 3-ring binder under the gun counter that had all the merchandise the distributor contracted for. If it was in the binder, it could be had. If the distributor didn't contract for it, no joy. Stu would not allow merchandise to be sold in the stores that didn't come from Midvale - and if Midvale didn't stock it, you don't need it.

Stu never got past that mindset, IMO.

The Gander Mtn. in Richmond, Va. is trying to take on a large local outdoor store that is excellent & a BASS PRO mega-store. It appears that closing soon is the only option. I too think Gander Mtn. will close most stores or simply fold. I look for BASS PRO to be in financial trouble by Christmas.

I was heading to Va. Beach this past weekend from Northern VA. I can't drive thru Richmond without stopping at Green Top. I stopped on Friday afternoon and the place was buzzing. On the way home on Saturday evening I stopped at the Gander Mountain less than a mile away it was damn near empty!!! They did have the Nosler Partitions I was looking for so i was appreciative of that. 163bc

Cabelas and Bass Pro will be the only ones left iyam, I predict that Dick's will stop selling hunting gear, I just don't know anyone who goes to Dick's for that kind of gear.

Just got an email that they're closing the store here in Round Rock (north of Austin). I'm surprised as they're really the only game in town and are always busy. Guess I'll be ordering everything on the internet from now on.

Two things will destroy a retail business fast; slow turn and poor distribution.

It appears SW has both in spades.

They closed the store here, in Michian last fall, didnt even make it a year!
John

The Silverdale store's shelves are bare there's virtually no rifle or hand gun ammo on the shelves and as far as hand guns is concerned there is nothing there either. I went into the store last week looking for a Ruger 10/22, the only thing they had in stock was one 10/22 and it was in a Bull Barrel.

It's not just a recent thing it's been that way since the Election in November. You can't tell me it's consumer scare for the reason for no stock on the shelves, especially when you can walk into Cabela's in Lacy and they do have a fair stock of ammo and firearms.

Acadamy is the most underrated store out there. No, they don't carry reloading stuff, but if they did, they would be just about perfect. They are cheap and they almost always seem to actually have the merchandise they purport to carry. They don't have ridiculous displays or ridiculous amounts of inventory. They just have good prices and enough inventory to get it done.

W7ACT, if was only supply, why are the reloading shelves empty but the fishing lure and clothes and camping shelves full in ALL those stores?

The stores are hurting due to the economy and the inability to get enough credit to order new stock. People are cutting back on purchases of all kinds, and that means no cash reserves, either. Poor supply systems for some like SW don't help any.

But the shooting shelves are empty because the SOBs ahead of you bought everything they had.

Agreed. Academy usually has very good prices on stuff too.

Yup, looks like it's back to the internet for reloading supplies. Damn, I liked SW. Was nice to be able to walk in and pick up what ya needed on the spot.

I have to agree with some people about Gander Mtn. The one here is horrible, and higher on every thing than anyone else. I was told in late January, that Gander will be out of business by September due to potential bankruptcy. The SW's I have been, I really liked, I hate to see any of these places go under.

If Bass Pro gets into financial trouble the entire industry will
feel the pain of un-paid bills. I agree with you that Gander Mtn is on the "watch" list so they don't get in to deep with any manufacturer.

Doc

Just got back from the Vancouver store and it is in the same shape. Not much on the shelves period.

I would say that any failures of the company are clearly at the fault of management. SW brought us one of their stores here in Fairbanks Alaska some years ago (guessing 2-3). The first thing I thought when I walked in the store was, who the hell was responsible for stocking this thing? Why the hell is there Turkey hunting bullchit in a state that doesn't have any turkeys? Within a month of that store being opened there was a shortage of Alaska caliber ammo, but there was tons of lower 48 deer caliber ammo. They have never kept the store well stocked in the Alaska calibers....I mean never in the 2-3 years they have been here. When I ask the guys at the gun counter why theres no 338 WM or 375 H&H or limited 300 WM ammo they just say....all the stroes are stocked the same way, and we cant special order anyting with any certainty that it will actually show up, I was like WTF? Anyway our store does pretty well seeing as its one of the only outdoors sporting goods stores we have, but it would do soo much better if it was stocked with the appropriate things for our geographical location regularly and less stocked with all the BS they have too much of and have always had too much of.

I thought you guys just needed 223AI... grin...

This is a bummer (SW closing). I hope the one up in Bend doesn't close... though I will express frustration with them. They've got a box of bullets I really want, that I can't find anywhere, and they can't ship 'em to me!

For a while in the fall I was going to SW in Pittsburgh quite often, probably weekly. Every time I heard someone saying "we're getting that in a shipment next week". Well, they've been out of Reloader 15 and 7mm 120 grain Ballistic Tips and 140gr Accubonds since probably October or early November.

The whold damn world is out of reloader 15. I tracked down 8 lbs of AA3100 for a replacement. It will work for a couple of my loads.

List of stores closing or sold:

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/company.cfm

Bruce

I wonder if there will be some good sales to be had????

Ah. So the Oregon stores are being SOLD to the Canucks, not liquidated.

Interesting.

In Vancouver WA they put a bunch of red sale stickers on guns, but with the same price as before. A 0% off sale.

I'm pretty sure that there's some in my local Bi-Mart. You want I should check? I could snag it for you and we could figure out how to get it to you, if you want.

Well, I guess the one closest to me in Southaven, MS is closing. On a MS hunting forum a guy reported that they called him to come get the whitetail mount he had loaned them to hang in the store.

Dang, just noticed on their site they're closing the Memphis store too. I was hoping they'd leave at least one in my area.

Got the last of their 257 Weatherby brass on Sunday at the De Pere location. Pickings were already slim on a lot of stuff in the way of bullets.

Thanks but I can get by for a while. I may have a line on a future supply.
I do appreciate the offer, was kind of you.

They are closing the Roanoke, VA store that just opened a little over a year ago. I've always found their people to be helpful. They were out of a lot of items, but I did my part to keep them going. I hate Gander Mountain and we have a new store here that opened last fall. I just wonder how long it will take for them to go away.

Did the same thing with optics, I was looking at the Swaro 10x42 EL and they had the stickers on them saying up to 25% off but the price was the same except on a red sticker.

SW closed one location is Wisconsin a little over a year ago. Got some great sales. Even bought a couple guns I did not plan on buying. I don't think you will see much in the way of sales this time. They have not been stocking much of anything at the other Wisconsin location I shop since well before Christmas. So there is not much left to put on sale. This has been in the works for awhile. I even asked the employees when they were closing. I got the election excuse. Did not know people were hoarding cloths and fishing tackle.

The Depere one is closing - giving Gander the way to rape us blind on prices. Looks like my shopping will mostly be on-line.

Their CEO said they have "no liquidity". For the financially uneducated, it means they don't have enough cash to conduct business. I'd give them a 90% chance of heading to bankruptcy in the next month or two.

That's too bad. They had an above average selection and nice sales people at all the one's I've visited.

Prices are the least of our worries with gander. It the total lack of intelligent life working there and the terrible selection. Hell I got more reloading supplies on my desk as I type than gander has in the whole store.

That's what I'm starting to think. I have some Varget around that might work for some stuff but, I need to really find some '15 soon.

Rapid expansion of a recreational retailer mixed with an economic downturn is poison.

I don't see anyone but Cabelas surviving the next couple of years.

[/quote] The whold damn world is out of reloader 15. I tracked down 8 lbs of AA3100 for a replacement. It will work for a couple of my loads.[/quote]

Seems like H380, AA2700, Ramshot Big Game, or H414/W760 would be closer to RL15.

In my opinion the store in the Atlanta area is more a clothing store than anything else. They have never had a reasonable supply of reloading equipment or components, maybe some powder, no bullets or cases. The ammunition is priced higher than I can find it at Walmart when I buy ammunition, and I don't buy guns from them because they "escort you to the door" which looks like it makes you feel as if you just farted in church....and the 18 year old behind the gun counter is an idiot anyway...

I never knew they had a SW in MI.

I think it sucks! I agree it was a good bunch people working in Roanoke. I'm an hour away but it was handy when you don't want wait on mail order. Maybe they will have s decent sale to close it.

The whold damn world is out of reloader 15. I tracked down 8 lbs of AA3100 for a replacement. It will work for a couple of my loads.[/quote]

Seems like H380, AA2700, Ramshot Big Game, or H414/W760 would be closer to RL15. [/quote]

You may be right. I checked my manuals for powders for my most used loads, 338 WM for 210 and 250 gr and 338-06 for 210 gr.- 3100 is one listed and available.
H4831, IMR 3031 and Reloader 7 are used for most of my other loadings. I found 4lbs of Unique for my 45ACP loads and have a supply of 2400 for my 45 Colt.
I guess I could be called a hoarder, but I like to keep everything loaded and I've let my stock get down some.

It's been a while since I've been in a SW, but I think they suffer from some of the same issues that Gander has:

1) They don't put together product assortments based on regional needs. The GM Greensboro stores had icefishing rod/reel combos last month (the water just doesn't get that hard here), and in the fall they had 30 rolls of snow camo gun tape. When they first opened they had about 4 varieties of Bear Spray, and enough inventory for the whole state of Alaska.

2) Without a doubt, I will go into the local Gander and I can't find a price on at least 25% of the items, especially ammo and powder. When there is a price on the item or shelf 25% of the time it rings up different at the register. The other 50% of the time the items are overpriced so I guess it really doesn't matter.

3) I'm not sure about other GM's but they tried to mimic Orvis with their Three Forks brand of Boyt/Orvis/Filson knock-offs made overseas and overpriced. I don't think it lasted a full year.

I normally stop in when I go by, but haven't bought anything in the last 4 or 5 stops.

Well to be honest - I rarely ask for help at anyplace anymore. Fishing stuff for sure. Not so much on the hunting end.

Below is from an email I got from the Phoenix store manager.

LOL, they've been saying that for what - 3 years now?

trying to run all these "retail" stores with no product to sell....

EXACTLY!!! Especially when their nearly 70 stores are spread out over like 38 states, from Fairbanks to Florida, from Phoenix to Pennsylvania and all points in between.

Either Stu Uutgaard was too arrogant to listen to the people around him, or he should have fired everyone who worked on his staff for not telling the truth about what opening stores left and right was doing to his sales and operation.

Aurora has always had knowlegable people behind the counters, HAD lots of bullets, powder, dies. I will hate to see it go. Stopped at Gander and found .38 spec LWC for $49.50. They didn't have any bullets I wanted, and what SW sold for $23, they want $33. Bass Pro here doesn't seem to have heard of anything over .30, and their prices are also high.

Powder seems to be gone everywhere. Guess I will have to stop by SW and get a couple hundred musket caps, and I found out 1075 caps will fit my revolver, now watch them all be gone too. I am even to the point of using Pyrodex since I I don't know where to buy BP in the area any more. With the "crisis" I have decided to shoot slower to save on bullets and all.

Dicks and Big 5 seem to be jokes. Big 5 didn't even know if they had 8 x 56R (no), and started looking through the tags on rifles for .38 specials when I asked. He did offer to "let me hold a rifle" if I wanted. I didn't.

The Round Rock store usually had a pretty good supply of primers and powder. Bullets were so-so, but most of the standard stuff was there. Then the Savior was elected and it all started flying off the shelves.

1. 23 stores are being liquidated to reduce bank debt.
� Aurora, CO
� Coon Rapids, MN
� DePere, WI
� Henderson, NV
� Lafayette, IN
� Las Cruces, NM
� Las Vegas, NV
� Legacy, TX
� Memphis, TN
� Nampa, ID
� New Berlin, WI
� Oklahoma City, OK
� Pittsburgh, PA
� Pocatello, ID
� Roanoke, VA
� Rogers, AR
� Round Rock, TX
� St. Cloud, MN
� Sioux Falls, SD
� Southaven, MS
� Visalia, CA
� Wichita, KS
� Woodbury, MN
� Bend, OR
� Bozeman, MT
� Burlington, WA
� Coeur d�Alene, ID
2) 15 taken over by Canadian Co.
� Fargo, ND
� Federal Way, WA
� Helena, MT
� Kennewick, WA
� Lacey, WA
� Missoula, MT
� Portland, OR
� Salem, OR
� Silverdale, WA
� Spokane, WA
� Vancouver, WA

Just a few months ago, we got a "Sportsmans Warehouse Coming here soon " sign in Flagstaff, doesn't sound like the store will materialize. The location I've been to in Phoenix has very limited shooting stuff anymore, which seems to be tied to the timing of the election, but it could also be the timing of the credit crunch.

Even Walmart is a crap shoot, had the guy behind the counter tell me that there folks in the parking lot when they open, coming in to buy ammo if they got a shipment the day before.

they are out of the .22 bricks

Sycamore

Nothing about this on the UFA Canada site, but I like the fact that they are a co-op. Here's their Vision statement:

Vision, Mission, Values

We have a strong vision and mission statement and set of core values that are the driving force behind our organization. They describe what we want to be, where we want to go, and how we plan to get there. And by committing ourselves to representing our vision, mission and values in all that we do, we ensure success for UFA and our member-owners.

Vision
UFA is a thriving and progressive co-operative with a passion for agriculture and an affinity for rural life. We are committed to being a market-driven organization that is recognized as the leading provider of quality products, services and solutions that support agriculture and serve the rural community.

Mission Statement
We are a progressive co-operative with a mandate to create value for our owners and customers through our unwavering commitment to strong financial performance; relevance to agricultural producers; and connection to the rural community.

Core Values
Performance
Collaboration
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Progressive thinking
Agility

I used to buy more than 5 grand of stuff per year at SW in Fairbanks. They used to have a layaway policy that was 20% down and same day 90 day financing. I bought several rifles and mucho optics from them.

Their problem was that they price things weird and then dump things.

They wouldn't even talk to me until I bought a rifle cash(Vanguard). They soon figured out that when I wanted to look at something that they probably should.

They have great workers now. They started off with young guys who weren't very gun-savvy. They now have several guys who learned from the more experienced gun nuts.

There was a very specific change in their pricing after they dropped the layaway policy. I noticed that things didn't move anymore. Ammo sells but their rifles have stayed there a long time.

If I could tell the CEO who probably is reading this this how to win us back.
1) You bring back the layaway policy,
2)keep the powder and bullets stock up and
3)quit selling the Chinese crap we would come back.

We are largely the only group that continues to buy stuff in an economic down turn. I bet we have more hunters and fishermen this year than they have had in years.

Sincerely,

Thomas

UFA recently purchased the WholeSale Sports chain in Western Canada as well as the above mentioned SW stores. We have suffered from chronic distribution issues and general short supply of most firearms and their related products for years.

As well the difference in exchange rates has resulted in approx a 30% increase in price. Oh well most of of the items aren't in stock anyways......

Should be interesting...........

"The United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) is an agricultural supply cooperative headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. UFA operates 35 farm and ranch supply stores in Alberta, and over 115 cardlock and bulk fuel stations ."

357

Looks like the Pittsburgh PA store won't be getting many visits from me. Then again, maybe they'll knock down some prices so I'll go see what I can scrounge. Funny thing, I have yet to find a big name retailer that can match the prices or selection of reloading stuff compared to some of the gun shops in my area..

Rocky,

I was in the business for years. Terminal fishing tackle and cloths are what pay the salaries and rent. Reloading and ammo were simply necessary "evils". Guns are losers!! They are just shills for selling accessories like slings, cases, cleaning kits...and the gun counters require the most employees, making them double losers.

It looks like the Ankeny Iowa store is staying open and still belongs to SW. kwg

I'm glad to hear that.

The Ankeny store suffers from the same inventory problems as the others, though.

Paul

I don't see Thornton or Littleton on either list. Does this mean I have to travel to go to SW? Will have to go look after work this pm.

As to powder, I ran across this a few weeks ago.

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/equivalents.asp

Be aware that comparable does not mean same, and some are more temperature sensitive.

Yup, and I loved going there. They made it about 6-8 months, and when they closed there were no deals, just moved everything out of State.

That was another thing that Stu Utgaard did which made no sense--close one store to open another one. He did the same thing with one of the Phoenix stores in order to open the Hendersonville, NV store, and guess what? Hendo is on the closure list, too, as is the Vegas which was just opened up.

This problem will keep on repeating and reinventing itself regardless of how much money is put into the company. How much more proof does a person need to reach a conclusion that the corporate level of this company has absolutely no idea what they are doing?

Looks like they are keeping about half of the stores... Should be a better arrangement for the warehousing system, but I think the funny part will be how much better the Canadian arm of the company will start doing. I do not get the idea those boys are fools...

March 10, 2009

Stuart Utgaard, the Chairman and CEO of Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, today announced that the company is taking two major actions to improve liquidity.


1. 23 stores are being liquidated to reduce bank debt.

� Aurora, CO
� Coon Rapids, MN
� DePere, WI
� Henderson, NV
� Lafayette, IN
� Las Cruces, NM
� Las Vegas, NV
� Legacy, TX
� Memphis, TN
� Nampa, ID
� New Berlin, WI
� Oklahoma City, OK
� Pittsburgh, PA
� Pocatello, ID
� Roanoke, VA
� Rogers, AR
� Round Rock, TX
� St. Cloud, MN
� Sioux Falls, SD
� Southaven, MS
� Visalia, CA
� Wichita, KS
� Woodbury, MN


2. 15 stores are being sold to UFA Co-op.

� Bend, OR
� Bozeman, MT
� Burlington, WA
� Coeur d�Alene, ID
� Fargo, ND
� Federal Way, WA
� Helena, MT
� Kennewick, WA
� Lacey, WA
� Missoula, MT
� Portland, OR
� Salem, OR
� Silverdale, WA
� Spokane, WA
� Vancouver, WA

We have a SW store in Rocklin, CA
I do not see it on your list.

Do you think, it will stay a SW ?

I agree Art, I feel sorry for the folks that will be working for the corporate Utah branch.

The Billings, MT store isn't on the list either. I'm assuming stores not on the list will remain SW's.
You lucky guys with the original SW's......(grin)

Great, when the West Bend store closed last year it cost me 2 new Tikkas, Minox binos, scopes, cloths, reloading chit, Knives of Alaska Elk Hunter, boots, God knows what else I've forgotten.

Now the remaining two nearby going out. Geeze!

The guys at Aurora say that store is leased, the other 2 in the area are owned. Also, the cannibilism from opening 3 stores in the approximate same market diluted them all. They have things marked down, I bought #11 caps, didn't look, and found one box was half full. Almost all the bullets, balls (ML), powder, and all is gone. I haven't looked at everything there yets. They have no LH bows, and I am thinking it may be time to reacquire some archery stuff. Anyone know how the other 2 are stocked? I may have to take a long way home one of these days.

Rumor is Gander here is next.

In typical Canadian fashion, the Canooks who bought 15 of the
SW stores are NOT going to honor SW gift cards.

"Screw em" was the response from the Canooks of their southern neighbors.

The Helena store has been gutted for months, I had wondered what was going on. Now I know.

from "The Outdoor Wire" Thursday March 12th.

UFA Modifies Sportsman's Warehouse Deal, SW Closing 26 Stores

In November, we reported on the planned acquisition of financially-strained Sportsman's Warehouse company by Canada's UFA Cooperative, a multi-billion dollar, agricultural based cooperative with a wealth of varied business holdings and more than 110,000 members.

Yesterday afternoon, word from UFA spokesperson Natalie Dawes that the acquisition has changed - significantly- from the Sporsman's Warehouse acquisition originally announced.

Based on the outcome of UFA's due diligence and "the continuing deterioration of the North American economy", terms of the deal had changed from a total acquisition to UFA's taking possession of fifteen Sportsman's Warehouse locations in the Northwestern United States.

The ownership of those stores would be accepted as payment of a 2008 loan to Sportsman's Warehouse by UFA. As we reported at that time, that cash infusion kept the cash-strapped chain operating.

UFA says the modification will ensure the long-term financial health of the cooperative, with the fifteen stores aligning well with its Western Canadian geography and distribution routes.

Those fifteen stores are located in Oregon, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and North Dakota.

Sportsman's Warehouse Chairman and CEO Stuart Utgaard has announced the liquidation of twenty-three stores to "reduce bank debt". A statement on their compay website says it is hoped the steps will allow the firm to go forward as a viable entity with 2,300 employees.

These Sportsman's Warehouse stores are being liquidated:

Aurora, Colorado, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, DePere, Wisconsin, Henderson, Nevada, Lafayette, Indiana, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Nevada, Legacy, Texas, Memphis, Tennessee, Nampa, Idaho, New Berlin, Wisconsin, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pocatella, Idaho, Roanoke, Virginia, Rogers, Arkansas, Round Rock, Texas, St. Cloud, Minnesota, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Southaven, Mississippi, Visalia, California, Wichita, Kansas, and Woodbury, Minnesota.

Between the sale to UFA and the liquidation of stores, Sportsman's Warehouse is trimming its store count from its previous high of more than sixty stores.

"UFA is advancing a deliberate and controlled diversification strategy," says Dallas Thorsteinson, UFA president and CEO. "The specific Sportsman's Warehouse locations we have acquired fit perfectly with our outdoor-adventure marketing and long-term financial strategies."

"We cannot predict the future for Sportsman's Warehouse," says Thorsteinson, "but we are certain the acquisition of these specific locations is good news for the growth and sustainability of UFA."

The acquisition gives the cooperative twenty-two locations. Earlier in 2008, UFA acquired Canadian outdoor outfitter, Wholesale Sports. The newly acquired Sportsman's Warehouse locations will operate as part of UFA's outdoor adventure division.

Over the past several days, industry insiders had been whispering that the deal - if not dead - was facing significant modifications. Seems they were on target on this one.

I told my wife they were closing SW. She said "what will you do now?" She jags me about going there all the time. I told her "I will drive by with a tear in my eye".


I used to kill time there while my daughter was at choir practice. I will miss the chats I used to have there.


Here in Pittsburgh there really isn't anywhere else for me to go that isn't 30 miles or so away. Guess I will have to go mail order!

Sonofabeotch! the San Antonio 1604 store is closing also. I just happen to pass by today and it had a "STORE CLOSING" banner on it.

I stopped and went in and spoke with a worker. He said they found out 2 days ago. I'm extremely surprised as there was always a good crowd and this is a primo location. Their reloading shelves have not been very well stocked though for about a year.

Rich,
Ain't Big Bucks near you?
Doug

I was in that store a couple of weeks ago and to say that I have more reloading supplies than they did would be an understatement. More ammo as well.

I did enjoy them when they had some stock.

BP...

They just announced our Sioux Falls, SD store was closing as well. Other than a brass/primer shortage everything has remained pretty well stocked there and I prefered to do business there rather than Scheels.

Went down tonight as I've been hunting for a safe and was surprised how quickly everythings been picked over already and the vast majority of things are only marked down 5-10%. Guns and ammo weren't marked down at all and people were still lining up to buy them.

People sure do get stupid when they see a sale or a store closing sign.


Sad to see the store go though, several good guys there.

Anywhere from 65-75% of the "customers" which came into the Rogers, AR store today had never darkened the doorstep of the place for the 3 years it's been opened, yet they acted in some cases like somebody was betraying them by not knocking the last cent off every item in the store.

Part of that is the lack of advertising on the company's part. Another part of it is the fact that we have alot of yuppies and cheapskates in the NWA area.