They realized very soon after opening they did not have the selection or the buying power to compete with the many competitors. What they did have was a true desire to treat people right, service what you sale, keep your word, and a sale was never as important as the truth or the making of a friend. In these early years Duncan Gun Shop was forming it's own unique way of doing business--- by taking care of the customer.
The Early years were hard and profit was scarce, however somehow they managed to keep the doors open and soon grew out of the old house. In 1981 a new shop was built just behind the the old green house which was torn down and burned.
The two brothers looked forward as there Mom Betty Lou donated endless hours tending the books. Her eye for detail and matching the numbers helped keep this struggling business afloat.
The mid-80's proved to be quite a challenge. Matthew would have to retire due to health reasons and the trusty eye of Mom would also leave. About this time a man named Alan Brown came to work at Duncan's, his expertise and customer service was everything that our slogan said and exemplified, "We Take Care Of Our Customers" and that we did. Alan's health failed and had to leave in the mid-90s.
In 1989 the Duncan's invested in the future with the opening of their indoor range. This provided a place for the customer to shoot, an area for classes, and a place for the customers who just made a firearm purchase to try it out before leaving the store.
The store has stood in the same location since 1976. While some things have changed, and people have come and gone , the one constant is the realization that Duncan's still stands due to the customer. The customer is the only reason the doors still stay open!!!
Mark and Matt want to say --- Thanks.
Duncan Gun Shop is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in NC.
It was founded by two young brothers Mark and Matthew Duncan in a old remodeled house in 1976. Their father, Clate Duncan Jr., was willing to take a risk and sign a bank note to get them started.
Their first show room was about the size of an average living room.
Tom wound up not only designing the additions in 1989, but handling the construction as well. Tom is a “built in” part of Duncan Gun Shop and Indoor Shooting Range. He comes around only occasionally, but to this day is an integral part of its History!
After Mark Duncan reviewed the obstacles in the way of the construction in 1989, Tom just took them all in stride and at the end of it, persons came by, … including the Son-in-law of Bill Ruger, … and told Mark and Mathew, “You Two had figured from the beginning to Build it the way it all came together, the Classiest Shooting Facility in the USA !”
“Tom Burch just does things that way!” Mark Duncan was overheard saying.
Tom Burch is our resident Guy to call on when everything else fails. Tom has Patents in over a hundred Countries and is still counting, with New Ones on the way all the time.
Tom knows more about Indoor Shooting Ranges than most Other Experts ever knew. His hobby is attempting new projects others believe will never work and making them work anyway ! He truly believes in NEVER GIVING UP the hunt !
Nimrod was the right name to have given him!
