A Norman man’s longtime interest in the outdoors and hunting has led to his decision to open up a gun and archery shop in the small northwestern Jackson County town of Kurtz.
However, Jackson Howder has a few hurdles to clear before that business is up and running at full bore.
His goal is to open late this month.
One requirement is to obtain a variance from the Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals to operate the business in a former restaurant at 8720 W. State Road 58. The board will discuss Howder’s request at 7:30 p.m. July 14 at the county plan commission office at 202 E. Walnut St. in Brownstown.
That variance is necessary before Howder can obtain federal permits to operate his business to be known as Howder Arms LLC.
Besides retail gun sales, Howder plans to sell ammunition, a variety of accessories and archery equipment. He said the shop also will offer gunsmith services to help gun owners with repairs and alterations they might not be comfortable making themselves.
In addition, Howder is in the process of launching a line of rifles for long-range hunting and law enforcement use.
He said he knows the business is out of the way for a person who just might be casually looking for a gun.
“But if they know about me and are looking for something in particular, I can get it,” Howder said of the suppliers he has lined up.
Howder has been living in Knox County while attending school at Vincennes University and has spent the past few years working with weapons at a shop in that area. But he said his passion for weapons goes back much further.
“I’ve been working on guns and hunting and shooting as long as I can remember,” Howder said.
His initial plans are to operate the shop with a couple of family members and a friend who has been involved in archery.
If everything goes well, there are plans to expand. The property in Owen Township consists of three lots with a total of two-thirds of an acre, and Howder recently purchased it from Hoosier Hills Credit Union for $21,000.
As of May, there were 25 federal firearm licensees in Jackson County, according to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The list includes two each in Brownstown and Vallonia, with the rest located in the Seymour area.
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For information about Howder Arms LLC, visit howderarms.com.
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What: Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting
When: 7:30 p.m. July 14
Where: 202 E. Walnut St., Brownstown
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