SHAWNEE, Kan. – A new gun shop in downtown Shawnee, is aiming for women as customers.
“She’s A Pistol” is one-of-a-kind according to co-owner Becky Bieker, but some nearby neighbors aren’t too impressed. Bieker said she just wants a chance.
Inside the store, it’s pretty obvious who the owners are targeting. They have zebra-print cases, pink T-shirts and hats. Bieker said they’re shooting for women because no other sporting goods store has really captured that niche and women have to know how to protect themselves these days.
“I think that the need existed then, but I think people are becoming more aware and more proactive today,” Bieker said.
She said it’s not just women who are interested in their products. Bieker said they are getting tons inquiries from men.
“We’re finding that a lot of the men prefer us because we welcome their women, their wives, their girlfriends, their daughters,” she said.
But it’s not all warm welcomes for the new shop. Some nearby business owners, who want to remain anonymous, tell Fox 4 they are worried about what kind of businesses the gun shop will attract to the area. They said they’re also concerned about break-ins and how customers for other family-oriented shops nearby will react.
But Bieker promises to be a good neighbor.
“We’re here to help, we’re not here to be a concern. We’re here to help protect the children, the moms the dads, everyone. We’re not here to bring in pawn shops or anything else,” Bieker said.
Fox 4 also spoke to some shop owners who are OK with the gun shop opening.
The shop will open early Sept. at 5725 Nieman Road.
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