A once great gun shop closes down.

[geoff40]

Riley’s Gun Shop, in Hooksett, New Hampshire, closed their doors a couple of days ago.
This was once a pretty big deal store, and at it’s height was known as one of New England’s premier gun shops. It was the largest gun shop in New Hampshire for many decades. Probably much of the forum membership from the East Coast, at one time or another, was familiar with this one time gem of a store. A tragic ending for sure.
I will bite my fingertips and leave further comments out of the narrative I’m typing.

RIP, Riley’s Gun Shop.

 

[Old_Cop]

They won the bid to equip our department with Sig SP2340s in the late nineties. I have a Riley's coffee cup around here somewhere.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I'm not familiar with them, but hate to see support for our hobby diminish.

I looked around a bit for info on the closing, and found this comment from 2 year old thread discussing the changes leading to the failure.

"Ralph sold the business to his son and an investor a few years ago. The investor bought Ralph's son out. My guess is they don't have the cash anymore to buy used guns. They have new guns which they can buy on credit. Ralph had deep pockets, he was able to buy alot of used guns. Its probably an end of an era. I was going there for 31 years. Unfortunately everything changes."

 

[cowboy4evr]

Accountants can be bad for business , investors all have them .
I ran business once for a few years . One day the accountant came in and told me I needed to fire one of my employees to increase the bottom line . After much thought I did as he suggested , " I fired the accountant " . Regards, Paul

 

[TTSH]

RIP, Riley’s Gun Shop.

Yep. It truly is the end of an era for those of us "old timers" in Southern NH and Eastern MA. This practically brought me to tears as I have always been a fan of "real" old-style guns shops like Riley's... true destination gun shops. But like another member pointed out, it hasn't been the same for quite a while now. Still, that doesn't make the closing any easier for us long-time fans to accept.

R.I.P. Riley's.

 

[Eddietruett]

He probably had deep pockets because he bought and sold used guns. Everyone I know that has a Gun or Pawn Shop say that’s where the money is, not selling new

 

[Gazz]

How much impact did the newer giant gun shop just down the road have on this? They have plenty of used guns and more ammo than anyone else in the area, as well as a museum and a cafe. How could anyone compete?

 

[TTSH]

How much impact did the newer giant gun shop just down the road have on this? They have plenty of used guns and more ammo than anyone else in the area, as well as a museum and a cafe. How could anyone compete?

Well, a little history that I hope to get right.

Riley's was opened by (former NRA president 1990-1992) Richard "Dick" Riley back in the mid-1950's. Dick sold out to Ralph Demicco in the mid-1970's (note: a recent news article gave the date as 1987 ). Ralph who owned the shop up until 2014 when he supposedly sold out to his son and an investor. As late as 2016, I was still buying my ammo from Riley's, but I did start to notice that their used firearms inventory was starting to fall off. Same with parts and accessories. Riley's kept me going during the great ammo shortage crisis post-Newtown and for that I will always be grateful.

Yes, their large new flashy competitor down the road was no doubt having an impact... but it never could have killed the "old" Riley's which was still better on price, selection and attitude by a country mile. I've never bought anything at the new-in-town competitor and never will. For one thing, they are rather hostile to out-of-state customers (especially MA residents) and it's too easy to take my business to other better MA, RI & NH shops.

 

[M29since14]

We had sort of a similar shop here in north-central Indiana “back in the good old days.” It was Schultz Brothers, in North Manchester, run mostly by one of the brothers, Dick Schultz. (The other brother ran a tack shop in another part of the building.) Schutz Brothers was not a huge business, actually quite small, but what it didn’t have in inventory it more than made up for with atmosphere and personality.

People came from all around, even from adjacent states, to visit the shop - and Dick and his small staff. Anyone that ever walked in the door remembers the “fragrance” of the place, largely owing to the leather working in the tack shop, not so much the gun shop itself. The place thrived on friendly and fair dealing, rather than a huge inventory.

Dick seemed to be a dedicated Colt man, but I bought my first S&W from him on a time payment arrangement with money earned from lawn mowing, window washing, sanding and painting of storm windows, and various other odd jobs that backing those days might come to one of the neighborhood boys. (Of course my Dad did the paperwork. I was way too young to buy a handgun in Indiana. The good old days... )

The old saying that “all good things come to an end,” eventually proved to be true. Dick’s health failed and to the great sadness of probably hundred of customers, the gun shop was closed. The lesson for me was that some things just aren’t purchased in big box stores unless absolutely necessary. Guns and bicycles are chief among those things. I’m sure that all of us who are still around miss Schutz Brothers and Dick. Sorry to hear about Riley’s. Know the feeling...

 

[lkabug]

When visiting relatives in Manchester, Riley's was always a must do while there.
Wonderful place, helpful folks. At the time they always had a great selection of quality used guns at respectable prices.

 

[Golddollar]

I've seen a number of gun stores close down with the retirement of owners. That's why I was so glad to see a younger couple open up Morris Muzzleloading in Grove City, PA. It has a goodly area of muzzleloading guns and accessories, and a good selection of modern guns and reloading components. Even though I don't live in the area, I am remembered and welcomed. Good prices on powder and I've come out with a few choice used handguns. I try to support this shop as much as I can for not living in the area and I'm glad to see a new shop being established.

 

[Watchdog]

A gun shop is a business. As with any other business, the goal is to make money for the owner(s). If no money is being made, the owner's out of luck and out of business.

 

[Gaffer]

I worked 8-9 years in a gun shop and learned real fact that the money in a gun shop is used guns. The profit is considerably better with used guns. Sure you get bit a few times buying used guns but being prudent and careful you can do very well with used guns.