Biz Briefs

BMS Announces Membership Drive

Berryville Main Street announced the launch of its 2014 membership drive. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1988 to promote and support downtown Berryville as the retail, commercial and cultural center of Berryville & Clarke County. They urge businesses to be on the lookout for their invitations, saying some new benefits have been added to help promote businesses and services.

 

Green Country on Main Street

Berryville Main Street partner Green Country Gifts has opened a retail location at 24 East Main Street! Seasonal wreaths and centerpieces along with antique and gift items are available for your holiday shopping.  Check their Facebook page for details or simply stop by the shop.

 

Gunslinger Opens Berryville Location

Bryan Lingle and his wife Cara were walking up Main Street in Berryville when he noticed the “For Rent” sign announcing a vacancy in a retail space. “She saw my reaction, and knew right away what I was thinking,” said Lingle. The couple had moved to Berryville in July, and Bryan was commuting to Manassas Park, Va., where his flagship store Gunslinger is located, selling firearms, accessories, and ammunition. Seeing the vacancy on Main Street got the wheels turning to open a second location just blocks from their home in town.

Lingle opened the Manassas Park location in 2011, after spending five years with the Secret Service. The store there is small “office-sized space,” according to Lingle. The new Berryville location gives him room to display a range of tactical, self-defense, and hunting gear on the walls and in cases. In addition to rifles, shotguns, and handguns, accessories include bags, eyewear, and other tactical equipment.

Gunslinger held its grand opening December 15, hosting local author and survival consultant Jay Blevins, who was on hand to sign copies of his new book. Lingle says it was Blevins who originally planted the idea of moving to Berryville—the two also collaborated on a weekend event in Berryville this year.

For now, Gunslinger Berryville will be open only on weekends and a couple evenings each week. “Eventually the Berryville store will be our only location,” said Lingle. His current customer base of “law enforcement and contractors going overseas” will eventually get used to the drive, he says. And he hopes business from Clarke County and the surrounding area will  grow steadily.

Gunslinger Arms is located at 110 West Main Street, Berryville. Current hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 9am–5pm. For information, visit www.gunslingerarms.com, find them on Facebook, or call 540-955-8454.