Mention Kansas City and one automatically thinks of its world-famous barbecue, jazz, the historic Spanish-inspired Country Club Plaza, and of course, the Chiefs. However, if you’re a shooting enthusiast or outdoor sportsmen, then the roads, or rather Siri, will lead you to a little known gun shop hidden in the Kansas suburbs just nineteen miles south from the City of Fountains.
Public perception of gun shops is influenced by media stereotypes, while the reality is that gun stores vary widely in size, appearance, atmosphere, product, and clientele. They range from large, stale, department-style mega-stores to small, independent brick and mortar businesses that have a long history of serving the community—and, of course, firearm aficionados. The locally owned Olathe Gun Shop is the latter as it has been a fixture in the Kansas City metro area since the early 1960s.
The Gun Shop was started by Ernie Simmons, who also founded and operated a wholesale business and Simmons Gun Repair in 1945 (located a couple doors down). He invented and patented the famous Floating Vent Rib for shotguns, which was used by many firearm companies of the day. In the 1970s, Ernie sold all three divisions separately. The retail gun store was purchased by Dave Parker, who owned it for twenty years. In 2001 he sold it to an employee and current owner, Mike Malone, where it was renamed the Olathe Gun Shop
Throughout the gun shop’s existence, it has appealed to local and traveling shooters and hunters, nationwide. Visitors are greeted by a fortified storefront reminiscent of a western outpost. Brick and wood make up the well-kept exterior facade, along with timbered posts, and a green metal roof. A large hand painted yellow rooftop sign, depicting a flushing pheasant rooster heralds’ guests as they pull into the lot. The building has remained unchanged until recently. Upgrades include adding hunting and shooting scenes depicted on panels in sepia tones, creating a checkerboard appearance, accented with corrosive, tarnished sheets of metal.
Guests walking through the door are met with the clanging of a metal bell that signals staff that patrons have entered the store. Directly above is a glass encased flag of the United States of America, furthering the strong and deep belief the shop has with the right-to-bear-arms. Most first-time visitors are pleasantly surprised by how much character the little shop has. Its blend of lumber and soft green paneling gives the tidy shop a warm and inviting feel. Wood flooring throughout the 3,600 square footage, guide persons to scores of firearms that adorn the walls, racks, shelves, and glass cases that showcase its vast diverse inventory of guns. Behind the cash register is a mosaic of colored cardboard boxes of various types of ammunition that runs the length of a twenty-four-foot pistol case. They sit below a palisade of modern-day Italian shotguns. Decorations, such as paintings, old art, flashing neon signs, and original signage boards, as well as old taxidermy deadmounts fill spaces in between.
Most of the mounts are of gamebirds that were shot by the previous owners. There are snipe and bobwhite quail that are suspended in bubble diorama enclosures that are no longer a fashionable style of display. Other old, lifeless fauna such as Chukar, teal, and scaled quail, hang upside down on wooden plaques. While several deer and African plains game are poised overhead standing watch. A massive bison shoulder mount sits in the corner watching shoppers peruse over pistols, revolvers, lever and bolt-action rifles, and shotguns.
Customers will find a blend of new, old, used, consigned, vintage, and military collector-grade guns scattered about, neatly organized in specific sections. This is in part due to that the gun shop not only sells, but buys, trades, consigns, and appraises - making it distinct vs other retail firearm stores. Thus, making it unique as inventory can literally change at a moment’s notice.
