Chamber ribbon-cutting for new Kennett business

On Friday, the Kennett Chamber of Commerce welcomed, and helped, new business owner Mark Brown, of Bootheel Guns and Ammo/Bootheel Outdoors with the store's official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Many area business owners, city officials, and residents came out to show their support of the new business at 1417 St. Francis Street in Kennett. Afterward those who attended the event enjoyed refreshments, and Brown answered questions about the new business.

Brown said he was introduced to guns by his older brother at about the age of eight years. "Back then, you could go out on the farm, or in a field, and shoot," said Brown. "But now, the regulations are more stringent. That's why I'm looking at building an indoor shooting range." Originally from Cooter, Mo., Brown graduated from Caruthersville High School, then he went on to major in business while attending the University of Missouri and Arkansas State University. Before going into business for himself, Brown worked for Walmart for approximately 28 years, the last 10 of those spent at the Blytheville Supercenter. "I started working at the Caruthersville Walmart when I was a Junior in high school," said Brown. "As I went to college, I decided to stay with them." Brown went on to say that during his Walmart years, he moved approximately 10 times, from this area, to Florida and New Hampshire, and then back again. "In a lot of those areas, I was able to do some hunting," said Brown. "I was able to enjoy a lot of different types of hunting that aren't available in this area." Brown said he decided to leave Walmart primarily because of the quality of life he was giving up. He had to work all of his holidays there, a difficulty especially after marrying and starting a family. Brown and his wife, Nikki, are expecting their second child in February. "Walmart was nice, and I enjoyed my carrier there," said Brown. "But, it was time to do something else."

When he found out that James Miller was looking to sell his longtime store, Miller Sporting Goods, Brown said it was a chance to offer more to the community in the way of firearms. He said that, while working at Walmart, there were a lot of items people would often ask for, but that the store couldn't provide. Walmart couldn't sell pistols, and a lot of the requested ammunition brands were hard to find at times. Brown also said the Walmart customer might want a product that was a bit more upscale, and he began to feel that, with his own business, he could offer customers more of what they were looking for. Bootheel Guns & Ammo, LLC, offers a full range of firearms, from small, starter guns, such as the Crickett 22, to deer rifles, semi-automatic rifles, shot guns, conceal-carry pistols, and collector pistols.

Photo by Laura Ford, staff Mark Brown, owner of Bootheel Guns & Ammo.

"A lot more of our customers are males, but there are also a lot now that are female," said Brown. "There are a lot of gentlemen who are coming in to help find a gun for their wife or significant other. Then later, they come back together and will try it out." Brown said the ease of the use of the pistol, and what types of guns women are comfortable handling, is important. "I have seen a spike in that over the last two or three weeks." He also said there have been a lot of women who have come into the store really liking a certain gun, but have been unable to pull it back. "if they cannot pull it back, it is no good to them. So, we'll go through and help find a gun that is better fit for them," said Brown. "But, if I don't have the one they want, I'll order it specially for them."

To purchase a gun, the customer must first locate the fire arm that best fits their purpose. Then, a state ID card is used to conduct a FBI National Instant Criminal (NICS) background check. According to Brown, when the NICS check is completed, he will then either receive either a "proceed, delay, or deny" response. With the "proceed" response, he can go ahead with the sale. With a "delay" response, the customer must wait three days, and if they call back within that three days, he can proceed with the sale. But, if he receives a "deny" response, the customer will have to contact NICS to find out the reason why. During that time, the gun sale cannot be made.

Aside from guns and ammunition, the store also carries hunting accessories, ranging from camouflage vests and hunting knives, to hunter drinking mugs and gift items. "Dove season is getting ready to open in September," said Brown. "We have ordered up everything the hunter needs for that." Hunting items and guns are not the only thing available at the store. On the Bootheel Outdoors side of the shop, Brown carries Big Green Egg grills. Brown described the Big Green Eggs as ceramic grills that are based on materials initially developed by NASA for the space program. "This means the material absorbs heat extremely well and doesn't allow it to penetrate out," said Brown. "It has a lifetime warranty, so if the ceramic breaks or cracks under natural use, the grill will be replaced." Bootheel Outdoors also offers a wide collection of Big Green Egg grill accessories. Brown says his store is certified as a Big Green Egg "Gold Dealer," which is one of the highest dealerships the grill manufacturer has to offer. The grills range from the "mini" to the largest, the Eggzilla grill. Only 1000 Eggzillas are distributed throughout the world, and Kennett Bootheel Outdoors has two of them.

Brown said he offers a lot of grilling accessories, from cookbooks to spices. "I like to offer not only the Big Green Egg spices, but also, spices with a local flavor," said Brown. "We have Strawberries, Wickers, and even some Rendezvous, out of Memphis, because we wanted to have some of that local flavor for folks that are visiting town, or for those who grew up here and moved away, but are back for a visit." For ecology-conscious folks, they offer organic lump charcoal, that according to Brown, burns slower, cleaner, and leaves less ash than regular coal. The charcoal is recommended for the Big Green Egg, but it can be used in any grill.

The indoor shooting range is a future project that Brown is hoping to add to the store. "They (shooting ranges) offer people a safe environment to go shoot their guns," said Brown. He is also looking at offering a conceal and carry class that, perhaps, may be taught by some of the local certified instructors who are already teaching such courses, with space for a classroom setting. That, however, is on down the road. For now, Brown said he wants to give the best service he can to gun owners and hunters, in and out of the area. For more information about Bootheel Guns & Ammo/ Bootheel Outdoors, call 573-888-GUNS (4867).