By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
What started out as a neighborhood gun shop is branching out with a new, expanded location and its sights set on becoming the “shooting sports superstore” in the area.
Black Arsenal – a firearms, tactical and outdoor equipment store founded in 2013 by Chad Shimunek – is now open at its new location, 1850 Hilltop Road in St Joseph. In addition to various firearms, knives and weapons-related products, Black Arsenal offers sporting goods gear and other outdoors equipment.
“We’re not trying to be Cabela’s,” said Shimunek, a 22-year Navy veteran and avid outdoorsman. “But it’s kind of an all-in-one store. … You’re not going to find outdoor rock climbing gear here, but we’re trying to be that hunting and shooting sports superstore.”
While it’s not Cabela’s, there is a definite outdoorsy feel to the store. As a customer walks in, they are greeted by a grand, hunting cabin-esque living room – complete with deer taxidermy, antler lamps, leather couches, a fireplace and a hunting dog named Diesel.
The store’s front windows are reinforced with metal logos – including a Silesian black eagle, after Shimunek’s Czech heritage – that both add a rugged feel to the storefront and provide protection from break-ins. The store’s previous location was the target of break-ins in 2020 and 2018.
“Almost every gun shop in this area has had a break-in or break-in attempt,” Shimunek said. “They think it’s a place with a high concentration of firearms, but it’s very regulated and very documented.”
Shimunek said the 11,582 square-foot building, which was formerly occupied by LECO, has space for Black Arsenal to host training programs for concealed weapons, weapons maintenance, safety, tactical first aid and more. The store’s previous location was about 3,000 square feet.
“We needed more space … the old building was just the size of our showroom now,” Shimunek said. “We were kind of maxed out before COVID, and then COVID with all the changes really made it hard to move. … Now, we have more space to grow and be more efficient.”
Black Arsenal also is a supplier to law enforcement, and a Saint Joseph Charter Township officer was seen leaving the store Tuesday.
“There’s always law enforcement moving in and out of here,” Shimunek said. “We [supply law enforcement] both locally and statewide, so that helps us diversify our portfolio and also strengthens our balance sheet.”
Shimunek said between growing up in central Michigan, his hunting experience and being a veteran, he’s always been around the lifestyle surrounding the products he sells. Moreover, he believes in what he is doing as it pertains to American rights.
“It’s part of our American culture,” he said. “It’s hard to have the First Amendment without the Second Amendment. Freedom of speech and the freedom to be who you are – the Second Amendment is an important piece of that.
“Michigan’s got a huge history of hunting, it’s a very outdoors state. A lot of people like to target practice. A lot of people like to use guns for self defense. I just have a passion for it.”
Shimunek said he is planning a grand opening for Nov. 12. For more on Black Arsenal, visit their online store at blackarsenal.com
Hours
- Monday – By appointment
- Tuesday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Thursday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
