Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Social Circle Ace Hardware in Social Circle, Georgia, has found one of its newer niches to be right on target.
Since 2012, the hardware destination has also been home to an archery pro shop and program. With the addition of the in-store archery range, the store has become the focal point for a thriving archery market in the area.
Steve Pittman, who previously owned an independent archery pro shop before combining with the family-owned hardware store, says the sport dovetails well with a hardware offering due to the similar customer demographics.
“If you go 100 years back, there weren’t gun and archery stores; everything was sold through hardware stores,” says Pittman, the pro shop manager. “Now we have a gun department and archery shop that are doing well with the hunting, fishing and recreational outdoor sports enthusiasts in the area.”
Social Circle puts on a range of events for archers of all skill levels, Pittman says, from open leagues and range time to group lessons, individual coaching and birthday parties. Fees range from $10 for one hour of open range time to the $20, one-hour introductory class.
Pittman and his team have coached archers to multiple awards and honors, including three who have qualified for the U.S. archery team, he says.
