Denver Defense in Denver, NC abruptly closing it's doors

SPM

SPM

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So....just announced on Facebook that Denver Defense in Denver, NC is shutting down permanently....

We hate to share this information!

To our valued Members and Customers of Denver Defense

It is with deepest regrets we must inform you that effective Wednesday, May 16, Denver Defense will be closed for business.

Because we understand this is sudden, and affects so many of you who are so passionately active in the shooting sports, and have been such loyal customers and members, many since the doors opened in 2014, we wanted to share with you the background and reason for closing.

On December 31, 2017 our management group formed a relationship with the ownership group of Denver Defense and assumed management duties of Denver Defense Range for the purpose of keeping the facility open to the public and Denver Defenses valued members. The management group has spent the last 5 months evaluating the business operations and processes, and financial viability.

While this has been a daunting task,one that has been met with more challenges than the bright spot has been meeting and working with the tremendous staff of Denver Defense, many of whom have chosen to continue a relationship with us at other facilities.

While it is unfortunate we could not justify maintaining the operation of the facility, we are committed to our loyal customers and members. Beginning this week, we will commit to ensuring all outstanding orders, layaways and NFA device purchases have been or will be processed through Denver Defense. If you are a customer with an outstanding order or purchase, we will be reaching out to you over the coming weeks and providing solutions for completing your orders. We will also be offering our valued members of Denver Defense alternate shooting range memberships options.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me directly and I will provide as much assistance as I possibly am able. My contact information can be found below.

We deeply apologize for the consequences of this business decision, and reiterate our commitment to a continued relationship with our valued customers and members.

Brian
Managing Director
The Range at Denver
704-895-3250

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Yep.

They had flash sale yesterday. Should have known something was up!

I'm very bummed about this.

I was going to go shoot today and look at an old Iver Johnson top break revolver (no stocks) they had in the case. I was hoping it was a .32 and safe to shoot.

I'm curious what the other membership opportunities will be. It was convenient for me, reasonably priced monthly and generally nice people to do business with. And 50yd lanes! All in a nice facility. I hope the people find employment ASAP.

I also hope someone can make a go of it in that location. I'd hate to see a range close and never reopen again as a range.
 
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Dang. My cousin just bought a family membership there a month ago. Not part of "that crowd", but he lives in Terrell, so it's convenient.
 
concepthomes1 said:
Well, they appeared to cater to a certain "crowd" in a manner like TopGolf caters to their certain "crowd"; it's just that maybe golf has lower insurance and safety requirements.
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Never got that impression from DD. I was there quite often and I'm definitely not part of any "crowd".
 
There's this little morsel from yesterday.... talking about new inventory just a handful of hours ago....

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I used to shoot there weekday mornings because it was quiet and no pressure of any kind. Really going to miss that.
 
I had heard about them teaming up with some folks who were going to try and save DD. Unfortunately one of the previous owners (main owner?) may have made that impossible. Not sure the whole or true story, but that was the "rumor".

I wish I lived closer, I would love to have a 50 yard indoor climate control lane!
 
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Like @Damn_Yankee, I'm not a "crowd" guy.

I'm curious what the "crowd" is though.

I would overall rate them in a positive light. I bought my Eagle-15 and my Henry through them. Ordered it online and got it in 2 days. The AR was in stock and on sale when I bought it and the price was right on the Henry as well, even though I did get the feeling if I checked their prices on most in stock guns they would be typically LGS high. I found the staff to be polite and professional as well as friendly. Very accommodating. My only gripe was the shotgun rules, but I understood why. The shooters (crowd?) that I interacted with there seemed like decent people.
 
Exile_D said:
I had heard about them teaming up with some folks who were going to try and save DD. Unfortunately one of the previous owners (main owner?) may have made that impossible. Not sure the whole or true story, but that was the "rumor".

I wish I lived closer, I would love to have a 50 yard indoor climate control lane!
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I thought it was a done deal and all was well. I can easily spend the better part of the afternoon on one of those 50 yd lanes. And did so on more than one occasion!
 
I loved that place. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The range was the best in all of western North Carolina. The prices for the range was very low and budget friendly. This place was state of the art in climate control and target automation. I am going to really miss my range. I drove to it from here in Hickory. I have bought tons of stuff from those guys not because of price but because I liked the people.

I spoke to one of the original owners about a year ago and he told me the range was in need of sales. The gun fear had subsided after Trump won the election and business slipped. Some of the original owners were not really gun people according to one employee but more business oriented, but hell thats why you open a business, not for fun.

I’m just bummed badly as I thought new ownership would been able to make it work since they had another location. I would drive down with many friends and shoot then go eat at Midtown Sundries because the wings are very tasty. Grabbed coffee at Dunkin Donuts before shooting. As you can see from my rant that my visit with them led to other expenditures each time at other local places.

Best wishes to all the great employees who made my visits so welcome. Let’s hope this place can reopen again.
 
I don’t do indoor ranges, unless it’s a match, so I’m not out really anything. But, being the analytical person that I am, I’m having a hard time buying the reasoning behind this. If were truly a decision based solely on a lack of profits wouldn’t they have stayed open long enough to at least liquidate the inventory? Did they have to close today? Did they make this decision last night? Did they just not make enough money yesterday? So bad that the doors couldn’t open one more day, week, or perhaps even until the end of the month? Something just doesn’t seem right here. We’ve all seen businesses come and go, but literally overnight?

The speculative in me says we will hear more about this. Perhaps with the BATFE involved.
 
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hlpressley said:
I don’t do indoor ranges, unless it’s a match, so I’m not out really anything. But, being the analytical person that I am, I’m having a hard time buying the reasoning behind this. If were truly a decision based solely on a lack of profits wouldn’t they have stayed open long enough to at least liquidate the inventory? Did they have to close today? Did they make this decision last night? Did they just not make enough money yesterday? So bad that the doors couldn’t open one more day, week, or perhaps even until the end of the month? Something just doesn’t seem right here. We’ve all seen businesses come and go, but literally overnight?

The speculative in me says we will hear more about this. Perhaps with the BATFE involved.
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Apparently the staff was informed this morning via email.....

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If true, that's piss-poor leadership and unprofessional as hell. Perhaps it's best, in the long run, to get out from under the thumb of that sort of management.
 
Wonder if the NRA insurance scare has something to do with this
 
Hate to hear of a shop AND range closing up
Went in there once after a job interview in Denver
Really nice place...maybe TOO nice, or at least nicer than Ive ever been in before.

Hate it for the members and local gun community.
 
Well, it was located on the Charlie Foxtrot that is old 16, and most items were ridiculously overpriced. Would be nice if the guys from Highland Armory took it over, but again, that location is horrendous, just like everything on that yankee congested side of town.
 
premise said:
Well, it was located on the Charlie Foxtrot that is old 16, and most items were ridiculously overpriced. Would be nice if the guys from Highland Armory took it over, but again, that location is horrendous, just like everything on that yankee congested side of town.
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I doubt Highlander would take it over. They had plans to open a range behind their store which would connect the buildings. That was two years or more ago. I drive by their store every single day and it’s rare I see a customer car.

Whoever reopens Denver Defense will need deep pockets. The initial investment in the building was huge. Classrooms, locker rooms, lounge, sales area, 50 yard rifle bays, and total of 18 lanes was lots of money. Their business plan was very good but I think the closeness of a couple ranges over saturated the area. They treated everyone equally and their staff has always been professional.
 
And then there's the Good Guys at Point Blank....

Dear Point Blank Range Family,
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Denver Defense/The Range at Denver permanently closed its doors today. The gun industry has been under constant attack from those that do not respect or acknowledge our constitutional right to bear arms. While we do not have all the details on why Denver Defense is closing, our industry is hurting and this is just one of many ranges and gun stores to go out of business this year. We are saddened to see their employees lose their jobs and the community to lose this important recreational resource. While our business is also down compared to prior years, Point Blank Range is well capitalized and will weather this storm to be even stronger. For those of you who are Denver Defense customers, further information on pending layaways, gift cards, memberships and special or NFA orders is now available on their website.

To help Denver Defense range members through this difficult time, we are extending an opportunity to current Denver Defense members to continue exercising their membership privileges at Point Blank Range for the duration of their membership, without having to pay for a new membership. If you have any questions on membership, please contact Aaren Upton at [email protected] (Mooresville) or Monika Cagnetta at [email protected](Matthews).

If you know any customers or members at Denver Defense, please feel free to forward this e-mail to them.

That's a class act....
 
SPM said:
And then there's the Good Guys at Point Blank....

Dear Point Blank Range Family,
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Denver Defense/The Range at Denver permanently closed its doors today. The gun industry has been under constant attack from those that do not respect or acknowledge our constitutional right to bear arms. While we do not have all the details on why Denver Defense is closing, our industry is hurting and this is just one of many ranges and gun stores to go out of business this year. We are saddened to see their employees lose their jobs and the community to lose this important recreational resource. While our business is also down compared to prior years, Point Blank Range is well capitalized and will weather this storm to be even stronger. For those of you who are Denver Defense customers, further information on pending layaways, gift cards, memberships and special or NFA orders is now available on their website.

To help Denver Defense range members through this difficult time, we are extending an opportunity to current Denver Defense members to continue exercising their membership privileges at Point Blank Range for the duration of their membership, without having to pay for a new membership. If you have any questions on membership, please contact Aaren Upton at [email protected] (Mooresville) or Monika Cagnetta at [email protected](Matthews).

If you know any customers or members at Denver Defense, please feel free to forward this e-mail to them.

That's a class act....
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Good business model right here. Welcome the customers of the former competition and bring them thru the doors. Once they enter you have their attention. Great marketing skills by Point Blank.
 
hlpressley said:
Point Blank Range and class has never been used in the same sentence...
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That may be true but they really know how to jump on a great opportunity. If Denver Defense finds an investor to reopen it as a range, they will have a very difficult time gaining trust in selling annual memberships. It will be an uphill battle for the next owner.
 
hlpressley said:
Point Blank Range and class has never been used in the same sentence...
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I'm surprised at this response. I've shot there since 2014 and had a membership there for the last two years now and I've never had a problem with them. They have always treated my wife and I with great respect and are quite friendly. What happened that caused this??
 
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The staff everyone has dealt with is definitely not the problem at DD. Their ownership and the shady goings-on are. As for the abrupt closing, we will probably hear all sorts of rumors and gossip but doubtful we will know what actually happened. The only thing I know is that the folks that came in to try and help DD survive were recently told to pound sand by someone in the original owner group after a disagreement and so they did.

Doubtful they will reopen and supposedly ATF is currently going over their inventory, etc.

As for Point Blank, that is purely them being opportunistic and obviously a good business decision on their part, nothing more.
 
Andre at Next Level Armory here in Huntersville put out an email saying that gift certificates purchased in 2018 will be honored by the LKN Owners but nothing before and NLA is working on a system to honor them in their shop.

Shameless self promotion? Yep! I approve. It’s not like PBR and NLA are exploiting a tragedy.
 
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hlpressley said:
Yep! They are taking advantage of their competitors misfortune. I take no issue with that at all. I actually applaud it, but let’s not call it class...
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You still haven't answered my post # 28 so I'm guessing this is just some personal problem with them. But without telling us what happened it doesn't give much credibility to your statement.
 
Exile_D said:
As for the abrupt closing, we will probably hear all sorts of rumors and gossip but doubtful we will know what actually happened.
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This was one from ARF:

Heard rumors that the lake Norman range bought them and shut it down. But no confirmation
 
Pretty sure Lake Norman Range bought them. That’s what one of the staff said back in Feb. I wouldn’t think the shutdown would be a strategic move to limit competition due to the cost of mortgage, upkeep, and taxes.
 
hlpressley said:
I still haven’t seen a place where I asked for credibility...
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Well I asked what happened to make you say "PBR and class shouldn't be in the same sentence." So rather then answer, or just say you had a problem with them, you just spin this off into another issue. Sorry, I'm not biting and going into some back and forth, with you deflecting to everything else but the problem you have with them. I've had a great experience with the people there and as I've said they've treated my wife and I with great respect and are very friendly. I drive 20-25 minutes from Huntersville to Mooresville rather then 10 minutes down the street to another range here in town to shoot. It's because of how I was first treated when I went there the first time and how we are treated now. So maybe it just boils down to the attitude you bring into a business is the attitude you find from the people there.
 
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Denver Defense taught a lot of classes in self defense, knife fighting, concealed carry, intro to AR rifles, and shooting techniques. I have seen more females at their location than any I have visited.

They had a large selection of rentals for clients to determine what type of gun best suited the shooter. My daughter made her handgun selection using their shoot any gun rental program.

I’m not sure all that has transpired but their model of a range/shop was exactly what I would envision. They were more than just a typical range. Very upscale and welcoming. It was a great place to bring customers for a hour of shooting then have lunch. I can’t think of anything I would have changed under the original ownership.

The gun industry is way down in sales and shooting. It’s a tough market.
 
Remember, building an indoor range ain’t cheap. Air handling between massive air flow and hepa filtration (which must be routinely changed $$$), commercial rates on electricity and other utilities are expensive. Then add in the employee costs from wages and such to payroll taxes and contributions, workers comp and such, major liability and business operations insurance and your day to day operational costs are hefty. After that you got to pay property and sales taxes and such. Then paying back the huge building cost from building to range and its equipment to major HVAC/air filtration.

Management, marketing and customer service all need to be tops with high overhead and if ownership doesn’t fully understand the market ...
 
Just found a pile of gift cards I have been given in the last two years. One of the 12 was to Denver Defense as a birthday gift last year. Guess that one is disqualified. So long $75.00.
 
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