THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507110116
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 143 lines
THE STORE FIRST opened as a pawn shop. In 1945, it became a firearms retailer. In 1968, fishing supplies were added. < This year, Bob's Gun & Tackle Shop in downtown Norfolk is celebrating its golden anniversary.
``Our suppliers tell us that 50 years in this business is something to be proud of,'' said owner Robert Marcus, great nephew of the store's founder, Robert Glasser.
Keeping a keen sight on the market and adapting to the times have been vital elements in Bob's success. In late May, the site was renovated to accommodate recent changes in customer demands.
A growing gun market and a surplus of fishing retailers made it necessary to remodel the three-floor building at 746 Granby St. The gun department on the first floor has been expanded, replacing what was the fishing supplies section. A fly-fishing counter has been put in on the second floor.
``I'm like every other small businessman,'' Marcus said. ``I watch things being turned into commodities and look at those areas that are underserved to the public. Fishing was an underserved market in the late 1960s, but today it's totally overserved. Fly fishing is something that's underserved now ... the gun market has grown steadily.''
Somewhat of a Norfolk institution, Bob's boasts the largest inventory of rifles, shotguns, handguns and ammunition in South Hampton Roads, Marcus said. Approximately 2,000 guns were sold in 1994.
The business has had four different locations in its 50 years. The pawn shop - turned gun store - remained at the corner of Church and Main streets until 1952, when it moved to Bank and Plume streets. There for 10 years, the operation relocated to Brambleton Avenue and Granby Street until 1973. Late that year, the shop moved to its present site. Growth dictated the change of buildings, but downtown Norfolk always has been the focal point.
``Norfolk has always been good to us,'' Marcus said. ``It's centrally located, and it's home.''
Marcus bought the family business six years ago from Paul Blaustein, his uncle. Blaustein and Ezra Reich, nephews of Glasser, purchased the pawn shop from Glasser's widow in 1945 after returning from World War II. They added firearms to the shelves.
``It's been kind of a metamorphosis,'' said Blaustein, now retired. ``We started as a pawn shop and then went into guns sales. A lot of services have been added now.''
In 1993, Marcus put in an air-conditioned indoor pistol range. Handguns have been the strongest sellers in the past several years. Customers can try any of more than 22 types of pistols and a selection of .22-caliber rifles before they buy. Gun-use classes also are available.
The fear of violent crime and home protection are only part of the reason for increased interest in handguns. Recent gun-purchasing legislation, especially the state law limiting individual purchases to one handgun in a 30-day period, has boosted sales.
``There was a lot of panic-buying because of the pending legislation,'' Marcus said. ``When the government tells people they can't exercise their rights, they go out and do it.''
Doctors, judges and housewives are among a wide mix of handgun buyers and range users. The facility is open to the public, but range membership provides special discounts and extended hours of practice.
Huston LaClair, an E-6 in the Navy, is a range member. Storing firearms on the base is being discouraged, so LaClair keeps his .38-caliber custom handgun at Bob's.
``I get a safe place to store my weapons and a good place to shoot,'' LaClair said.
Adjacent to the range is a full-service gunsmithing shop, the largest such facility between Philadelphia and Atlanta, Marcus said. Several full-time gunsmiths repair weapons and make custom firearms.
``We sell and serve,'' Marcus emphasized. ``We're proud of our high level of product knowledge and repair expertise. Unlike the chain stores, we can talk about what we sell.''
While the owner caters to a lot of hunters and sportsmen, women are a growing sector of his customer base. Newlyweds with husbands in the military and divorced middle-aged women are frequent handgun purchasers. Their weapon of choice is a small-frame, .38-caliber revolver.
Pistols vary in price from $179 to $1,200. Rifles and shotguns cost $100 to $400; however, Marcus has a pair of antique shotguns that go for $28,000.
Although firearms buyers are the target market, Bob's offers many other products, including archery supplies. Last year, an indoor archery range was built on the second floor. Archers shoot specially tipped arrows at a 10-by-12-foot video screen that shows footage of animals in the wild. Marcus said it is the only one of its kind in South Hampton Roads.
Hunting and fishing apparel, knives, safes and home security systems also are part of the inventory. Bulletproof vests will be available in September.
Customers say they are loyal to Bob's because of a quality product line and especially because of the individual attention and service. Some come from as far as Richmond and the Outer Banks, but a majority live in South Hampton Roads.
Portsmouth resident Steve Burton has been going to Bob's since he was a child. He is an avid hunter, target shooter, fisherman and archer.
``Basically, I go for the personalized service,'' Burton said. ``I know the owner, and the employees are my friends and know my needs. They care about their customers, unlike some other places. My dad took me when I was a kid. I like to take my daughter and grandson to the archery range.''
Marcus, 43, began working at Bob's while in high school during the late 1960s. After attending the University of Virginia, he returned to the store, where he became general manager before eventually purchasing the business.
``I've grown up here,'' said Marcus, who was born in Norfolk and now lives in Portsmouth. ``Buying the shop was a natural thing. It was my turn.''
The owner said that he appreciates hunting and fishing but rarely has time to participate due to his heavy work schedule. Overseeing 14 employees seven days a week has the boss on the job nearly every day.
While the business has prospered over the years, Marcus said he is a little concerned about the firearms debate going on around the nation.
``The media and the government have put an inordinate amount of attention on the gun issue,'' Marcus said. ``Firearms have become the hot-button issue of the 1990s. I would rather see people address this issue on an intellectual level rather than emotional.''
Does Marcus think that limiting the sale of handguns will help prevent crime?
``The city of Richmond has one of the most restrictive handgun purchasing laws in state and the highest handgun homicide rate in the state,'' Marcus said. ``I think that speaks for itself.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
John Danz works the archery counter at Bob's Gun & Tackle, which is
known for its personalized service.
Danz takes a turn in the indoor archery range, where specially
tipped arrows are shot at a video screen.
In addition to a full range of hunting and fishing supplies, Bob's
Gun & Tackle Shop carries all manner of clothing for the active
outdoorsman.
This is the way Bob's Gun Shop looked at the corner of Bank and
Plume streets in the 1950s.
This was the site of the shop in the 1960s, when it was at the
corner of Brambleton Avenue and Granby Street.
by CNB