Statesboro, we now have a "man" store. You are probably wondering what type of store would warrant that description. Drum roll please - a genuine, no holds barred, gun store.
Statesboro resident Garth Long and his partner Clark O'Barr of Sylvania opened Southeastern Gun Supply this past December. Located on Highway 301 South just inside the Statesboro Bypass, Southeastern Gun Supply is fondly referred to as the "man" store by Long's wife Meg.
"When I leave the house, Meg will ask me if am going to the ‘man' store," Long said. "I have told her that women are more than welcome to come in, but frankly we don't get that many."
I have to admit that I did chuckle when Long showed me the corner area of the 2,000 square foot showroom designed for the comfort of those who might be accompanying their significant other to the gun store.
"We have a very nice seating area with magazines and flat screen television on the wall, so those who are waiting will have somewhere nice to sit," he said.
Clearly, that is not the attraction of Southeastern Gun Supply. From turkey guns to rifles, shotguns, and handguns, their selection is extensive. I even found myself browsing through the "hardware" with unbridled fascination.
Long said Statesboro had not had a true gun store in quite some time, and he and O'Barr felt the demand and opportunity were there. In addition, Long said the popularity of shooting sports is on the rise.
"There are a lot of people who are interested in guns and really love them," he said. "I am one of those people. Every time I went somewhere to look or shop for a gun, I would see someone I knew from Statesboro. There was clearly a need to have something like this here."
The owners said sales have been good and the local community as been very responsive. "It has gone very well, and we are both pleased and appreciative," Long said.
There are plans in the works for an expansion of the store, but Long isn't quite ready to announce those yet.
"We have things that need to be ironed out before we can do any expansion, but I am hopeful that we will be able to," he said.
You might have guessed that Long and O'Barr have installed a state-of-the-art security system, in addition to following the very strict guidelines which cover the operation of a gun store. And yes, you will hear terms like "carrying" when you are in there, and that, frankly, is really cool.
So, go ahead ladies. Suggest to your man that it's time to go window shopping at the gun store. Worst case scenario, you will have a comfortable place to sit while he looks, and looks, and looks, and looks.
For the record, Long and O'Barr hold full-time positions in other professions. This is an aside business venture for them.
Until next week, I bid you au revoir.
Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or e-mail her at jmoore@statesboroherald.net
Statesboro resident Garth Long and his partner Clark O'Barr of Sylvania opened Southeastern Gun Supply this past December. Located on Highway 301 South just inside the Statesboro Bypass, Southeastern Gun Supply is fondly referred to as the "man" store by Long's wife Meg.
"When I leave the house, Meg will ask me if am going to the ‘man' store," Long said. "I have told her that women are more than welcome to come in, but frankly we don't get that many."
I have to admit that I did chuckle when Long showed me the corner area of the 2,000 square foot showroom designed for the comfort of those who might be accompanying their significant other to the gun store.
"We have a very nice seating area with magazines and flat screen television on the wall, so those who are waiting will have somewhere nice to sit," he said.
Clearly, that is not the attraction of Southeastern Gun Supply. From turkey guns to rifles, shotguns, and handguns, their selection is extensive. I even found myself browsing through the "hardware" with unbridled fascination.
Long said Statesboro had not had a true gun store in quite some time, and he and O'Barr felt the demand and opportunity were there. In addition, Long said the popularity of shooting sports is on the rise.
"There are a lot of people who are interested in guns and really love them," he said. "I am one of those people. Every time I went somewhere to look or shop for a gun, I would see someone I knew from Statesboro. There was clearly a need to have something like this here."
The owners said sales have been good and the local community as been very responsive. "It has gone very well, and we are both pleased and appreciative," Long said.
There are plans in the works for an expansion of the store, but Long isn't quite ready to announce those yet.
"We have things that need to be ironed out before we can do any expansion, but I am hopeful that we will be able to," he said.
You might have guessed that Long and O'Barr have installed a state-of-the-art security system, in addition to following the very strict guidelines which cover the operation of a gun store. And yes, you will hear terms like "carrying" when you are in there, and that, frankly, is really cool.
So, go ahead ladies. Suggest to your man that it's time to go window shopping at the gun store. Worst case scenario, you will have a comfortable place to sit while he looks, and looks, and looks, and looks.
For the record, Long and O'Barr hold full-time positions in other professions. This is an aside business venture for them.
Until next week, I bid you au revoir.
Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or e-mail her at jmoore@statesboroherald.net