Ever wondered what a furniture store’s afterlife might look like? Shooters World in Tampa Florida is a prime example. Originally a furniture store this massive 62000-square-foot building now houses one of the largest shooting ranges in the country.
Opened in 2012 Shooters World boasts 27 twenty-five-yard pistol lanes. Seven additional 100-yard lanes cater to high-caliber rifles even up to .50 caliber. The sheer scale is impressive. This range sees an average of one million rounds fired monthly. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.
But Shooters World is more than just a place to shoot. It’s a carefully designed experience. The owners hired a professional designer. This attention to detail extends to the color schemes and floor patterns. The bright colors and glass create an open inviting atmosphere especially for women shooters. They even have a huge glass-enclosed waiting area. Patrons can relax with free coffee and soda while watching their friends shoot. This unique feature has proven incredibly popular attracting families and groups who might not otherwise consider shooting sports.
Shooters World also caters to everyone. They have ADA-compliant lanes parking ramps and restrooms ensuring accessibility for all. They even offer pistol rentals for $15 an hour or try multiple guns for $25. The average lane rental is between $15 and $18 per hour. Most shooters spend around 40 minutes at the rifle range and 25 minutes at the pistol range. A clever marketing strategy involves interactive target camera systems for each rifle lane. Shooters love the instant feedback. It also reduces target retrieval system wear and tear. People shoot more rounds in less time. Often allowing double bookings of the same lane in a single hour.
The staff is highly trained. They employ seventy full and part-time employees including up to seven certified NRA range safety officers per shift. Shooters World consistently exceeds safety standards. This dedication to safety and comfort contributes to their bottom line.
Shooters World does not allow custom-loaded ammunition but patrons can bring their own factory-boxed ammunition. However most clients purchase ammo on-site. Fifteen percent of their 2016-2017 sales were to first-time shooters. More than half of those first-timers were women. Shooters World proves that a well-designed safe and inviting environment can attract new shooters and boost sales. And that a furniture store can have a very exciting second life.