Read about Double-A Armory...

INDEPENDENCE – Opening its doors on February 18, 2019, Double A Armory serves as Independence’s very own gun store, with owner Adam Michels seeking to save local consumers from making the trip to Waterloo or Cedar Rapids to purchase guns or ammo.

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A machinist all his life, Michels set out to start his own personal business after leaving his involvement with Hawkeye Tool and Die Inc. in Jesup. After spending over a year renovating an old welding shop on 312 8th Street SE, Michels was set to open a business he felt he would truly enjoy running.

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“I didn’t want to just do another machine shop. I’d worked at several different machine shops and had my fill of them,” Michels said. “I just wanted to do something fun, something I thought I could enjoy.”

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Now Michels spends each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. surrounded by walls lined with hanging guns and ammo. He runs the shop alongside his wife, Alison, and their honorary “public relations” manager, a friendly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Benji, who greets customers the moment they step inside the store.

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In addition to guns, Double A Armory sells ammunition, accessories, holsters, and targets – and offers gunsmithing and repairs in the back of the shop. For the inventory he doesn’t have, Michels said he’ll order just about anything a customer wants as he works on continuing to grow the business.

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“We’re just going to try to keep expanding our inventory,” said Michels. “Right now, every penny we’re making we’re pouring back into expanding inventory so we have a better selection for our customers.”

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From customers searching for their very first gun to experienced shoppers, Michels said he is more than happy to help out with the selection process.

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“I’ll help talk them around into what they’re really looking for, try to help them select something they’ll be happy with,” he said. “It’s easy to go out and buy your first gun, get it home, and quickly discover it’s not what you thought it was.”

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No stranger to starting up a business, Michels gathered most of his original inventory from buying out another gun store. The real challenge came down to picking the perfect name for the armory.

“I kind of kicked around several different names, but I wanted to use something that was inclusive of my wife,” he said.” I’m Adam, my wife is Alison, so it’s Double A Armory.”

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A handmade depiction of the Double A Armory logo hangs on the south wall of the store, designed and crafted by Michels’ stepson, Travis Ohrt.

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Adam, Alison, and Benji live together in Independence, where Adam said he loves the small-town feel.

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“I know a lot of my customers (here),” he said. “When they walk through the door, I recognize them. You know the people you’re dealing with, and that’s kind of nice.”