Forest Park Review

Archery Custom Shop opened in 1948 under founder Don Schram, who built the business around two indoor ranges and a deep commitment to teaching. Located at 7240 Madison Street in Forest Park, the shop became known for welcoming shooters of all skill levels—from 8-year-old Boy Scouts to national tournament competitors.

Terry Pryor took over in 1995 and ran the shop for 28 years. He's no stranger to archery: he competed in national tournaments, joined Chicago Bow Hunters, and hunted white-tail deer in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. His son Adam became a national champion archer and served as a stand-in for Nicholas Cage in The Weatherman.

Equipment & Inventory: - Compound bows: $500–$2,500 - Recurve bows: $200–$1,000 - Full archery accessories (arm guards, arrows, cases)

Ranges & Services: - Two indoor ranges (one downstairs, one upstairs running the length of the building) - Instruction for beginners and experienced shooters - Birthday party hosting - Scout group instruction

70% of customers were target shooters; 30% were bow hunters. Pryor excelled at teaching newcomers but eventually the physical toll took its toll. A heart attack in 2015 forced him to reduce hours to 1 p.m.–7 p.m.

Online pricing pressure and pandemic lockdowns hurt sales, but the shop stayed operational—long enough to catch the attention of Chicago Fire's location scouts. A full episode filmed there aired February 15, 2023, with the shop rebranded as "Chi-Town Archery" for the production.

"The range only pays the utility bills." — Terry Pryor on where the real money came from

After 28 years, Pryor told his three sons it was time to close. None wanted to take over, and Pryor predicted the property wouldn't continue as an archery shop.