Veteran-owned gun shop rebrands

After the owners of a shooting range and gun shop in Oak Harbor decided to stay open despite announcing a closing date, the business is rebranding with an emphasis on safety.

Veteran-owned Anchor Point, formerly known as Pacific Indoor Tactical, made a decision to close in November of last year, said co-owner Phil Sellers.

The closing date was scheduled for Jan. 1 but when the announcement was made, staff got a lot of feedback from Whidbey Island residents.

“We realized how much of an impact the business had had on the community and how much the community wanted us to stay,” Sellers said. “There really isn’t anything else like us in the area.”

The decision was made to keep the business open, rebrand and refocus, Sellers said. There was a change in ownership structure and Sellers, who was previously a general manager, became a partner. Anchor Point celebrated its grand reopening May 6.

As far as the new name, Sellers said there are several tie-ins. Anchor points is a term used in both climbing and archery. The company is expanding its retail space to include items for archery. It is also a nod to Sellers’ Navy career; he is a retired chief.

He said the main focus of the business is to promote safe and responsible firearm ownership by properly training clients on how to safely use, carry and store guns.

Anchor Point offers training “for every level of firearm enthusiast,” Sellers said. There are classes for complete beginners to people who carry every day or use firearms professionally.

Sellers said at least half of the training is spent in the classroom with no guns present and it is catered to the individual’s goals.

The majority of Anchor Point’s employees are veterans or affiliated with the military.

“We are a veteran facility,” he said. “Most of us have a lot of experience. We’re happy to share that experience and build custom-training.”

Anchor Point also offers home defense courses and first aid medical training. Self-defense classes will be available in the future. People can sign up for classes in-person or on Anchor Point’s website. Some are group classes but the majority of lessons are one-on-one.

Anchor Point is the local chapter for A Girl & A Gun, a women-only gun club that introduces women and girls to pistol, rifle and shotgun shooting. Once a month, Anchor Point hosts a lady’s night where female instructors and staff shoot on the range, usually accompanied by crafts and Starbucks drinks. Sign up at pacificindoortactical.com/a-girl-a-gun.

“This industry has a reputation for being a male-dominant industry and that’s not the case,” Sellers said.

Anchor Point has a full-service gunsmith shop with a gunsmith on site on a part time basis. Sellers said the gunsmith is usually in the shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays. He does basic gunsmithing and repair including cleaning, sight alignments and troubleshooting.

Anchor Point also sells coffee, distributed by Black Rifle Coffee Company, another veteran-owned business. Anchor Point has its own branded coffee as well, roasted by Dillano’s Roaster in Sumner. The most popular blend is the Morning Wood Blend, inspired by the Whidbey Sky Penis.

When the decision was made in November to close the business, staff went into inventory liquidation mode. Sellers said he is currently restocking the store. The number of products will go from 1,000 to about 350,000 and will expand to hunting, fishing and other outdoor gear. Sellers said he hopes to eventually add facilities for archery as there is a need for that on the island.

Above all, Sellers wants residents to feel comfortable coming into the shop.

“The biggest statement is: don’t judge a book by its cover,” he said. “We’re not your typical gun store. We’re much more than that. We are a part of this community, we love this community.”

Anchor Point is located at 951 NE 21st Court in Oak Harbor.