Kansas City’s Hidden Gem: The Legendary Olathe Gun Shop

More than just a gun shop, the outpost IS where craftsmanship, history, and family tradition meet

Photo credit: Elicia Castillo

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.

Those who venture towards the back are met by several wooden racks of rifles, but it’s the impressive collection of shotguns that lure people to explore and walk deeper into the shop. At some point, eyes will be drawn to a cozy little cubbyhole with soft lighting. Its three walls and racks are filled with vintage shotguns, many from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Their tags relay makes, model, gauge, barrel length, chokes, and country of origin. They come from England, Germany, France, and Spain, among other places. 

Within the small parlor, flanking a glass exhibition case with two Gambel’s quail, are a pair of deep molasses-colored oversized leather chairs that sit atop a large oriental-style rug. The comfortable seats invite customers to sit, relax, or nap, while an inquisitive stuffed pheasant cock bird peers over their shoulder. A sizable wooden chest with a leopard pelt draped over it with a stack of old hunting magazines summons readers. 

Throughout the year the shop sees many visitors pass through its doors, especially between September and March, when traveling hunters and outdoorsmen travel through the Kansas City area. But it’s not just men, it’s women and children who are astonished at the rough around the edge’s beauty of the gun emporium. They are quick to wander and gaze at all the interesting, fun, and peculiar things that are neatly displayed. The atmosphere is more akin to a general store of firearms, offering various hunting and shooting curios. 

The gun shop’s staff is as unique as the store itself. Of the fourteen employees, only one is full-time, while the rest are part-time. Many are retired and all but one are or were first responders; firemen, EMT’s, and law enforcement. Over half are veterans and derive from the Army, National Guard, Airforce, Navy, and Marine Corps. They are all avid outdoorsmen and hunters too, which gives them an experience level and knowledge base that is vital to the gun shop's success.

The Olathe Gun Shop’s rich heritage is going on 60-plus years of serving Midwest customers. Its rugged allure not only lies in its rustic aesthetics and décor, but its unique combination of its inventory of almost two-thousand firearms that revel in the present as well as in the past. The store is a gateway to a deeper appreciation for the art, craftsmanship, and history of firearms. 

While the shop has seen several improvements, it’s maintained its original outdoor appeal and atmosphere. This has strengthened the shop’s longstanding customer service to being a trusted provider, serving multi-generations of firearm owners and sportsmen as the premier gun shop to visit. This is evident in my own personal and deep connection to the store as a frequent shopper for over four decades. It was and is the place where my father and I visited to buy our hunting licenses, purchase ammo for the upland bird season, and where we bought our first shotguns. It is and continues to be where families drop in to choose firearms that will become heirlooms that are passed down. OGS (as it is commonly referred to) is a place where relationships and friendships are built, using the love of firearms, shooting sports, and hunting as a bridge and much more than just a gun shop.

So, if you ever find yourself near Kansas City, and have some time before or after eating some delicious BBQ, make it a point to visit the Olathe Gun Shop, and take some time to marvel at the collection of firearms.

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About the Author

Edgar Castillo is a retired law enforcement officer of 27 years, where he worked for a large Kansas City metropolitan agency. He also served in the U.S. Marines for a decade. Edgar was born in Guatemala, and upon arriving in the U.S., he discovered his passion for wingshooting. His passion lies in the uplands, wherever the dirt roads takes him: hunting open fields, walking treelines, and bustin’ through plum thickets in search of wild birds in wild places.  He has written for over 30 outlets, including a variety of publications, digital/print magazines, journals, websites, and blogs across the U.S. and Europe.