(VA) Green Top taking over Gander Mountain store

[CajunBass]

For those folks outside the Richmond area, Green Top is a cultural tradition that ranks with the Museum of the Confederacy or The Tobacco Company.

When my wife escaped from the Chicago suburbs and came to Richmond, she knew two things about the area. Ukrops and Greentops. She had read about them in Patricia Cornwalls novels. She had no idea they were both real institutions.

The first time I took her to GT's, her eyes bugged out as she saw the racks of rifles and shotguns, and the crowd around the handgun counter. She wispered to me..."Is this LEGAL?" I told her, "No, the cops don't know about this place, don't tell anyone." She hit me.

Today she loves to stop there, and they love her. I went in one day recently without her, and no one asked me how I was doing, it was all "Where's your wife?"

She almost cried when she found out Ukrops had been sold.

 

[HOOfan_1]

High prices? Compared to what? You see anything less expensive at Bass Pro?

Yes I have...and I bought it there. Saying I buy other place when I see better deals has nothing to do with me thinking I know how to run a business better than they do. It just means I know when to spend my money at Green Top and when to spend it elsewhere. Their overhead costs are not my concern. My wallet is my concern.

Their prices generally aren't as high as Gander Mountains were, but every gun I have been interested in and priced at the gun triangle in Hanover, Green Top was not always the lowest price. Gander Mountain was usually more expensive than Bass Pro and Green Top by $50. Bass Pro and Green Top usually had the same price, although sometimes Green Top was better, sometimes Bass Pro was better.

I am not one to believe I must buy local no matter what. I believe that competition is a good thing. Bass Pro and Gander Mountain are not running Green Top out of business, and obviously there is no danger in that happening. I will continue to look for deals whether they are at Bass Pro, Dance's or Green Top. I've bought 5 guns in the past 2 years; 2 of them were at Green Top, and that was when Green Top had the best price on those items, which happened to be on sale.

 

[JohnBT]

"She had read about them in Patricia Cornwalls novels. She had no idea they were both real institutions."

That's funny. Did she get there in time to buy one of the handguns Ms. Cornwall had consigned for sale?

I sorely miss Ukrop's because Martin's sux - it's just so average and the Carytown store is cluttered. It was fun while it lasted; watching Ukrop's run Safeway and Giant out of town over the years.

John

 

[HOOfan_1]

My family bought plenty of guns at Best products too...then they stopped selling anything but jewelry and cheap furniture and went out of business.

We bought plenty of electronics at Ward's TV/Circuit City, then they stopped selling appliances and replaced it with CDs and DVDs...and went out of business.

Used to buy plenty of Reynolds wrap, then they sold out to Alcoa and moved out of town.

Used to drive by the A.H. Robbins building on my way to work, then they sold out to some New Jersey company and now have left town.

Thalheimers, Miller & Rhodes...gone. Yup, Richmond doesn't have many traditions left.

 

[JohnBT]

"Used to drive by the A.H. Robbins building on my way to work, then they sold out to some New Jersey company and now have left town."

I think they sold the company so they could buy the University of Richmond.




The only institution I miss is the old Border Cafe. RIP. Okay, and the Biograph Theater.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Was in that Gander Mountain just the other day. No wonder they're going out of business, if the absurd prices I saw on a couple of Enfields are any guide. $900 for a 1950 Long Branch and $800 for a 1943 Lithgow? Crazy.

 

[essayons21]

When I was still buying from stores, mainly during the 2008-2009 shortages, I would make the round trip between Green Top, Gander Mtn, and Bass Pro. Sometimes I'd even head further up to TTI or Ashland Firearms if they were open, although that was mainly to check on some gunsmithing projects.

Depending on the day and what I was looking for, I found the best deal at all three. Gander Mtn had the best deals on new guns, Green Top was the place to go for reloading supplies and used guns, and Bass Pro was generally the best on accessories and some big ticket items like safes when they were running sales.

All three do a Mil/LEO discount, but I have found Green Top's is usually the best. Although now with my C&R discount at MidwayUSA and Brownells/Sinclairs, I find myself hardly leaving the desk to make my shooting purchases.

While the lane fees at Colonial Shooting Academy are pretty steep, the prices in the store seem very reasonable, especially on the few used guns they have, and the really expensive stuff like NF scopes and safes. While its nice to have such a nice indoor range nearby, when I want to do any real shooting I just make the drive out to Cavalier.

I can't say that I will miss the mosh pit by the handgun counter, nor having to wade my way over to the fishing side so I can pay for my box of bullets or can of lube.

Hopefully prices will stay the same, the staff will be less flustered, and there will finally be some elbow room.

 

[Patriotme]

The only suprise about Gander Mtn was how long they stayed open after Bass Pro Shops opened. I liked going in Gander Mtn once in a while and their customer service was always pretty good. Of course they usually had more employees than customers. They did have decent sales now and then. I haven't bought much from Bass Pro Shops but it's fun to look around. I agree that their pricing is a bit high.
I like Greentop. Some of their stuff is kind of high but like everything else you have to know what you're looking for. I've seen some pretty reasonable stuff there. I wouldn't go there in the evenings or on a weekend. They have decent customer service most of the time. One of the older guys seems a bit bored with customers but the younger guys do a good job in my opinion.