Voyage Chicago

Todd Ogren started The Gun Shop in 2011 after the construction industry dried up following 2008. With nearly 100 firearms of his own taking up space at home, his wife suggested he start a business. That worked out—the shop now does over $1 million in annual sales with 10 employees and a customer base that stretches from Chicago proper through the Wisconsin suburbs and as far as Madison.

The Gun Shop operates as a full-service firearms retail establishment with a strong focus on customer experience:

• •Retail firearms and accessories - Wide variety of firearms in stock plus any accessories customers need
• •Gunsmith and repair services - Professional repair work on customer firearms
• •Custom builds - Building custom firearms tailored to client specifications
• •NFA manufacturing - Licensed to manufacture NFA-approved items (expanded into this two years ago)
• •Concealed carry training - Classes covering licensing requirements and safety
• •First-time shooter instruction - Classroom and range training for new users
• •Customer appreciation events - Annual events for their loyal customer base

Ogren is clear about the challenge: "We struggle against the big box stores and the pricing they are able to get from manufacturers that we cannot." What keeps customers coming back isn't price—it's the breadth of service they can provide.

"What sets us apart from others is our customer service. We have extremely proud of the wide range of care we are able to provide to so many."

They understand that firearms serve multiple purposes—personal protection, sport shooting, hunting, and hobby pursuits. That knowledge informs how they approach customer needs.

The Gun Shop has built a strong online presence alongside their physical retail location, making them accessible to customers across a wide geographic area.