produced a few T-shirts. (Ingrao shared they became like collector’s items among his customers.) According to Ingrao, having a dog in the store adds a lot to the personality of the shop. “I think the fact we’re pet lovers drives business to us,” he suggested. “It does affect sales. People come in to see Bella and ask if she’s in the store. Even the tough biker guys love her. I can’t measure it, but having a dog is definitely a draw.” Ingrao also collects donations for local animal shelters and runs raffles to raise money for shelters. “People love that stuff, and I love doing it,” he affirmed. ““I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TOLD US, ‘ANYONE WHO LOVES ANIMALS AS MUCH AS YOU GUYS DO GETS MY BUSINESS.’” Carl Ingrao, Owner Four Seasons Firearms BENEFIT 2: FLIPPING THE SCRIPT Battle Born Ammunition & Firearms in Carson City, Nev., has a long history of dogs in the shop. “I have two pugs who have always been store dogs,” shared Owner Kristy Scott. “They’re about a month apart in age. The older one is brindle, and his name is Tex. His little sister is fawn, and her name is Lil Bit.” Both are about 5 years old. Scott also has a young English Mastiff named Freya who was about 100 lbs. at 6 months old. “Everyone who comes here knows all three of them must be greeted when you come into the store,” she added. “The mastiff will howl until she’s acknowledged.” Scott originally started taking her dogs to work because she missed them during the day, and they had some separation anxiety when she was gone. “That was back in December 2017,” she recalled. “My customers loved it. They would come in and pet the dogs and then they’d bring their dogs in, too.” The store is only a few doors away from a groomer and a vet, and customers who go to the vet often bring their dogs in afterward to visit. The store has a lounge in the front with couches and a kids’ area where Scott often teaches classes. “Everyone who takes classes with me knows to hide their food because the dogs will be coming through,” she said. “Having the dogs here makes the store friendlier. Our focus in opening this store was to take the darkness out of going into a gun store. We’ve tried to take this attitude of a gun store not being approachable and flip it. The dogs really help with it and put people at ease, especially when you’ve got a 100-lb. puppy. I really love having them here every day.” BENEFIT 3: CLEAN SHOP FLOORS? At Tampa Tactical in Riverview, Fla., Owner Marna Miller Tracy has been taking her dogs to work for several years. “After I lost my chocolate Lab in 2016, I started bringing my golden retriever Max to work with me,” she stated. “People really loved him because kids could come in and pull on him and sit on him and he didn’t care.” Since then Max also has passed, and now, Tracy has a 6-year-old black Lab named Abby who goes to work with her every day. “I found her on Craigslist on Christmas Day when she was 2 1/2 and she’s been coming to work with me every day since,” Tracy added. Why bring a dog to work? “Why not?” Tracy answered. “You’ve got your furry friends with you all day, and it creates a friendlier, more welcoming environment. People really The trio of Freya, Lil Bit and Tex stand ready to greet Battle Born guests. “Everyone who comes here knows all three of them must be greeted when you come in the store. The mastiff will howl until she’s acknowledged,” shared Owner Kristy Scott. Though not quoted in this story, this image is an SI team favorite: Metro Shooting Sports’ John Stephenson brings his sidekick, Ruger, into the shop regularly to welcome customers. April 2021 Shooting Industry 43
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