Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Baye.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The concept for Stoddard’s grew out of a frustration with Atlanta-area shooting ranges that were dirty, dingy, poorly ventilated and unsafe and with firearm stores that lacked first-class customer service. To describe them as “uninviting” would be an understatement. For new shooters and especially for women, these were intimidating places to shop.
Prior to starting Stoddard’s, I spent 15 years at Home Depot and understood from the culture created by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank what first-class customer service feels like. When I started with Home Depot, they had opened just 130 stores and the company was growing rapidly but maintaining its purpose and culture. That didn’t exist in the shooting range and firearms store industry when we started Stoddard’s. It is still hard to find.
We started with a revamping of a shooting range in Douglasville 9 years ago. During the initial rehab of the Douglasville range, a roof fire burned the building down and we had to rebuild from scratch. While this set us back significantly from both a timing and financial standpoint, we ultimately built a facility that was clean, safe and inviting. The Atlanta store in West Midtown built on that same concept and the Atlanta store, which has been open now for 3 years, is equally clean, safe and inviting. I have heard it described as “industrial chic” and as the “Apple Store of the shooting industry.” This is confirming of what we sought to achieve. We treat all customers with the same high level of customer service regardless of gender or experience. We don’t just send you out to the range or just sell you a firearm. We want to know what experience you have and why you want to own a firearm. We build on that experience and then we introduce the proper fit together with safety and training. This is true whether you want to purchase a firearm or just want to rent one and experience shooting on a range.
Has it been a smooth road?
We are gratified by the tremendous response that we have had from customers who have discovered our stores and who appreciate the level of customer service, safety and fun that Stoddard’s brings to the shooting range and firearms store concept. Like any new business, we have had our struggles along the way. We started with a revamping of a shooting range in Douglasville 9 years ago. During the initial rehab of the Douglasville range, a roof fire burned the building down and we had to rebuild from scratch. While this set us back significantly from both a timing and financial standpoint, we ultimately built a facility that was clean, safe and inviting. The Atlanta store followed and has been open for 3 years now. You really have to experience Stoddard’s to understand how gratifying and fun it can be. Learning a new skill and feeling empowered is hard to describe. It has taken us a while to create that awareness.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Stoddard’s Range and Guns – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Stoddard’s Range and Guns has a large retail offering from guns, ammunition and accessories, safes (we are the exclusive dealer for Fort Knox) , apparel and more. Our range is open to the our members and the general public 7 days a week. We also have Stoddard’s Training Academy where customers can select from courses offered in personal safety, firearm training and private training. Our Midtown location also has indoor and outdoor event spaces that host corporate team building events, bridal party celebrations, birthdays and more.
At Stoddard’s, we don’t just send you out to the range or just sell you a firearm. We want to know what experience you have and why you want to own a firearm. We build on that experience and then we introduce the proper fit together with safety and training. This is true whether you want to purchase a firearm or just want to rent one and experience shooting on a range. Our training offerings start with both private training and classes for the first-time shooter. Avid shooters can also hone their skills with private training and with more advanced classes as well.
We treat all customers with the same high level of customer service regardless of gender or experience. We are welcoming and non-judgmental. We never talk down to anyone in our stores and ranges and try to make everyone feel comfortable. A woman in her late 20’s or early 30’s walked into our Atlanta store for the first time after we opened and after taking it in and then shooting on the range stopped me on her way out to tell how much she enjoyed the experience. I asked her what she liked about it and she told me, “it’s not creepy.” I am proud that we have eliminated the concept of “creepy” from the shooting range and firearms store business.
Our shooting ranges are clean and safe. Most ranges do not have sophisticated ventilation systems that remove dangerous by-products from the air that result from firing a gun. Our ranges do and are also climate controlled, well lit and comfortable. In addition, our team is well trained to recognize dangerous activity and correct that activity quickly. We will take as much time as you need to decide what you are comfortable with and we will work with you to make the experience safe and fun.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Atlanta is an amazing city that continues to improve over time. The diversity of people, the amazing food and entertainment offerings and the variety of lifestyle choices from urban to rural all make Atlanta an amazing place to live and to visit. I live in Midtown and I have lived in a loft style condo in Midtown for 14 years now after living in a beautiful home in Cobb County for the same period of time. I love that I have been able to enjoy both lifestyles in the same city. I am hopeful that Atlanta can keep up with the growth and the challenges that growth brings. Atlanta must continue to improve mass transportation, roads and other infrastructure to ensure that the quality of life is maintained.
Pricing:
- New Shooter Packages are available if your new to the range. They include a safety orientation, range time, gun rental, eye and ear protection, target and one box of ammunition starting at $89.00.
- Become a member at Stoddard’s and receive priority range time for free, 10% off ammunition and classes, free gun rentals & more. Memberships are month to month starting at $39.99.
Contact Info:
- Address: 485 Bishop St. NW Atlanta, GA 30318 – Midtown Location
5840 Bankhead Hwy. Douglasville, GA 30134 – Douglasville Location - Website: www.stoddardsguns.com
- Phone: 404-355-4867
- Email: info@stoddardsguns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stoddardsguns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoddardsRange/
- Twitter: @StoddardsGuns
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stoddards-range-and-guns-atlanta
- Other: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bullet-points-podcast-stoddards-range-and-guns/id1336662973?mt=2
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
