EDMOND — Edmond store anticipates October opening for gun, archery ranges
BY KATHY TOPPINS
THE EDMOND SUN
The biggest seller at Heartland Outdoors is a small, electric vehicle, eligible for both state and federal tax credits. Archery equipment sales have outpaced sales of firearms and accessories since the new Edmond business opened Aug. 22. Business owners anticipate opening a 14-lane gun range and a four-lane, 3D archery range in mid- to late October.
Cleo Land, salesman and former Edmond police officer, said Heartland Outdoors had 3,500 - 4,000 customers at its grand opening at 1444 N. Kelly Ave. Since opening, the business has experienced a steady flow of customers.
“The biggest selling items, so far, have been the low-speed, electric vehicles that are street legal,” Land said.
Although street legal, “there are limitations on where you can drive them,” he said. “The tax credits, both state and federal, for purchasing one are huge.”
Land said customers are buying the vehicles for hunting, ranching, golf and a wide variety of other recreational and commercial purposes. Heartland Outdoors offers in-store maintenance for the electric vehicles.
Barry Bryant, one of three Heartland Outdoor owners, said both the gun and archery ranges are connected to the store, on the north side of the building. Both ranges will be air conditioned.
Another owner, Todd Sorter, said they were waiting for final approval from the City of Edmond on the engineering plans, such as air conditioning and ventilation, before opening the gun and archery ranges.
Sorter said the business currently has nine employees, but he expects to employ a minimum of 15 by the time the ranges open. Shawn Forth also is an owner.
“We all have a hunting and fishing background,” Sorter said. “We’re knowledgeable about what we sell.”
Sorter said he has had the idea for the store for about 10 years. “I always thought that Edmond needed a store like this because there’s nothing like it north of I-40,” he said.
HEARTLAND OUTDOORS is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 340-7530 or go online at www.heartlandoutdoorsok.com.
