New Gun Shop - Arnzen Arms - Job openings

[Sammichman]

Stopped by Menards to day and looked for your Location,,,,saw a vacant corner store front guessing that would be you,,,looks like a lot of window space to fill I would guess you have been in Contact with all your distributers for Free signage etc,,,excuse my asking I had 20 plus years in Retail

[LarryP]

I've talked to that zoning offical, he's a idiot. But You'd think he'd know what he's talking about. But he doesn't..

After Gander opening you'd think it wouldn't be unknown territory.

Want uncharted territory, ask them about a Solar power installation on a roof. Complete idiots.

Curious, Did the City of Eden Prairie welcome you? Or were there obstacles to overcome?

We got some real idiot council members

The officials I've dealt with in Eden Prairie have been reluctant participants. I think there's a general concern because they consider this "unknown territory." I guess there haven't been any independent gun stores here before. I had a close call with the local zoning officials who were telling the ATF that there are no laws specifically permitting the sale of firearms here. I happened to be there while the ATF lady tried to explain to him that if there are no laws restricting it, than it is legal, not the other way around. Also, they didn't seem to care that the property is zoned exactly the same as where Gander is located. In fact, I had to keep reminding people that Gander not only sells guns in Eden Prairie, but claims to be the largest dealer in Minneosta. I was never able to get a written document saying "It is OK to sell firearms from that location." The best I got was a letter explaining the site is zoned for "commercial retail' and what that means.

One of the first things I did after selecting a site is to invite the police crime prevention unit over to review my security plans. The police here have been very helpful and professional. They have some very specific concerns that I am trying to address.

I had professional help in getting building, sewage impact, and sign permits. Those went smooth but I felt the building permit was pricey ($2400).

The main bad thing is that the rents were almost too high for the business to be viable. I'm sure you guys know the margins on firearms is pretty slim. I had to search a long time to find a place willing to have me as a tenant and spent 6 months negotiating a lease and I'll still need to do a lot of business to keep the doors open.

[darnzen]

Stopped by Menards to day and looked for your Location,,,,saw a vacant corner store front guessing that would be you,,,looks like a lot of window space to fill I would guess you have been in Contact with all your distributers for Free signage etc,,,excuse my asking I had 20 plus years in Retail

Here's a status update of where things are in the process of opening a store:

I signed the lease and got the keys to the place on 9/1. The space has been used as a warehouse by Menard's for several years and it is a crap heap. Everything needed to be gutted. Except the bathrooms which if I so much as replace a faucet I need to bring them up the newer ADA code. The bathrooms are ADA compliant to the old rules, but for some reason everything needs to be moved over 4-6 more inches which would add another $25,000 to the project.

The demo of the old space is 95% done. The framing of the new layout was completed today, as was the masonry for the vault. The sign is supposed to be done the week after next, but the sign company is grumbling about the schedule (they said 3-4 wks, now they want 6).

The windows (there's a lot of them) all need to be barred per state statutes. There's going to be a lot of steel going in over the next couple of weeks. I'm working on initial orders but I can't receive anything until the space is secure, so no rush.

As for swag, displays, and the like, it seems like nothing is being given away. I need to become a "stocking dealer" in order to get free signs and displays and such. That will come after I start placing orders. One of my distributors said that since it is late in the year, they have run out of a lot of that kind of stuff. Even getting those things, it is unlikely I'll be displaying too much in the windows due to the security bars.

I'll keep you updated on the progress and if you're in the area, keep an eye on the site. Things are happening very fast now.

- Dan

[JustinPo]

Here's a status update of where things are in the process of opening a store:

As for swag, displays, and the like, it seems like nothing is being given away. I need to become a "stocking dealer" in order to get free signs and displays and such. That will come after I start placing orders. One of my distributors said that since it is late in the year, they have run out of a lot of that kind of stuff. Even getting those things, it is unlikely I'll be displaying too much in the windows due to the security bars.
- Dan

I wouldn't worry about signs so much, that's what the internet is for, and besides you've got the sign with your name and business on it. I doubt if having a Smith and Wesson or Glock sign in the window is going to make someone who is already in front of the store turn away or walk in. Besides you've got bigger things to be worried about right?

[smurfman]

Another shop to check out on my monthly gun tour. If it weren't over an hour away from home and opening during the middle of hunting season I might have filled out an app. I might anyway once huntng season is done, it isn't that far from work and if the work hours were convenient...

I would agree with the suggestions on when to start reloading supplies though you might want to look at shotshell reloading as there isn't much over that way that I know of. Gun Stop is mostly metallics with a very limited amount of shotshell components. It may be a while before you can enlarge the operation but shotshells are what I would look at first.

[Tomh]

Excited for you! Can not wait to stop by.