Home on the range

View larger image Robert Rosenberger, owner of Shenandoah Sporting Goods Inc., holds a Colt AR-15 in the store, which opened in its new Toms Brook location in April. — Rich Cooley/Daily View larger image Jordan Reynolds, bow technician at Shenandoah Sporting Goods Inc. in Toms Brook, prepares to shoot an arrow inside the store's archery range. — Rich Cooley/Daily View larger image Jordan Reynolds, bow technician at Shenandoah Sporting Goods Inc. in Toms Brook, walks along the archery range after securing his arrows. — Rich Cooley/Daily View larger image Hunting bows line a wall inside Shenandoah Sporting Goods Inc. in Toms Brook, which moved to its new location at 27460 Old Valley Pike on April 3. — Rich Cooley/Daily

Area hunting store expands to Toms Brook location

By Sally Voth - svoth@nvdaily.com

A Toms Brook businessman is hoping he hits a bullseye with his newly opened sporting goods store and archery range.

Robert Rosenberger opened Shenandoah Sporting Goods Inc. at 27460 Old Valley Pike on April 3. He had operated it as a home business for the past seven years.

The new 7,100-square-foot shop sells a wide range of weapons, ammunition, targets, blinds, decoys, animal calls and other hunting gear "with an emphasis on archery and guns," Rosenberger said.

He said his store stands out from hunting-related big-box stores because he and his staff can provide "the personal attention and knowledge" about what is being sold.

Off of the main room of the store is a 90-foot by 40-foot, 17-lane archery range, which has heating and air conditioning.

"Unless you're joining private clubs, this is the only range remotely close to here open to the public," Rosenberger said. "And, it's very affordable. We charge $8 a day for people to come and shoot."

Rosenberger employs several workers, including his wife, Laura, and gunsmith Adam Riffee.

A lifetime archery enthusiast, Rosenberger said he has had bow training from Olympic coaches and through the manufacturers whose products he sells.

He said if someone buys a bow, he or she will get a lesson in using it and he'll make sure that person has everything necessary to use it. Buyers can also use the range to make sure they have the right fit.

Rosenberger plans to start having weekly bow shooting starting soon, and archery leagues starting this fall.

This area has an active population of archers, he said, "especially on the hunting side of it, and now the target archery is getting very popular as well."

But, it's not just bows and arrows that are being snapped up.

"The gun sales has just been through the roof," Rosenberger said. "[We have] hundreds to choose from."

Firearms for sale include handguns, revolvers, hunting rifles and assault rifles, with manufacturers including Smith and Wesson, Glock, Kimber, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Ruger and Cooper.

"We can special order just about anything," Rosenberger said. "If we don't have it, generally we can come up with it."

He said he is hoping his store will become a sort of gathering place where hunters feel comfortable bringing their guns and kills.

Rosenberger is confident his operation will be successful.

"I knew what our sales were going into this," he said. "We [were] able to feel comfortable building this location and coming down here."

The sporting goods store is open 12-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.