Holy cow! I drive by one (indoor) occasionally and this F'r has more cars in the parking lot than the local mall. Ya know, its a mom and pop fragmented industry. Somebody needs to find a VC, buy these f'rs up, and do an IPO. PM me.
I can think of at least 5 near me and they are always busy. They all have CCW classes which are booked out weeks in advance. Lots of women too in my favorite gun shop. Seems everyone is packing heat these days.
Could be a huge franchise for someone with vision. The time is right. Play by all the rules, sell ammo and guns..... offer training and CCW..... value added range-time. A few national ads on Fox. Beats the sh*t out of a Subway sandwich shop IMO. Way more money. Next thing ya know.... you get bought out by Cabellas.
I don't know if you are joking, but I think your idea has wings. I would love to use such a place. I have guns and don't know how to use or maintain them. I find guns, hunting and "gun guys" kinda repellent and boring but see the place for guns as self-protection.
I'm always half joking. Unfortunately for me. But it is a fragmented industry that some standardization could be brought to... and done properly, would kick ass. Americans love consistency. A MCD cheeseburger in San Diego tastes just like one in Newark. There are 100's of examples spanning everything from equipment rental to pizza. Its safe. Its what they know. Throw in a proper marketing campaign, and the next thing ya know you have a household name that has cornered the mainstream market. There is huge money in it. High margins. And for real, those soon to be empty Macy's would be perfect.
I know nothing about the margins or the marketing campaign although I agree with you that a consistent product would appeal to segments of gun owners thrown off by a cottage industry run by duck commander types. The problem with putting them in shuttered Macys is lease covenants. Many malls will not want people carrying weapons into the mall and/or prevent gun businesses from leasing stores.