Just weeks after opening its doors, KWG has already made a name for itself in the local firearms market, drawing steady crowds and robust sales. Located on Worthington Road on the west side of Daviess County, the gun store is co-owned by Luke Kuegel and Chris Whittaker, who are reviving a business model reminiscent of the original Whittaker Guns approach.
The store operates out of a 7,200-square-foot pole barn situated on a 5-acre lot next to the Kuegel family farm shop, offering ample parking for customers. The location is easily accessible, just off KY 56.
Since opening the Monday before Thanksgiving, KWG has seen strong sales driven by word-of-mouth promotion.
“Everybody’s really being receptive to us. We’ve been staying pretty busy, and it’s been good,” Whittaker said.
KWG differentiates itself with an expansive and diverse inventory, featuring firearms ranging from .222 rifles to high-end handguns such as the $3,000 H&K SP5. Suppressors and accessories have been particularly popular, flying off the shelves as fast as the store can stock them.
Currently, KWG carries between 500 to 600 firearms in stock and offers rapid custom ordering through their wholesalers, sometimes fulfilling orders by the next day. The store welcomes trades, with Whittaker saying they provide fair deals for customers looking to exchange firearms.
Their customer base spans beyond Owensboro, drawing visitors from surrounding areas and even neighboring states.
“Right now, it’s word of mouth. We really haven’t pushed advertising too hard,” Whittaker said. Despite challenges with social media — including Facebook temporarily taking down their original page — the store is growing its online presence through Instagram and soon, Snapchat.
KWG operates Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and provides standard background checks for firearm purchases, complying with all federal regulations. Approximately 90% of sales are completed within 15 minutes, depending on the background check process, Kuegel said.
While KWG has no plans to diversify into fishing gear or general clothing, they may offer branded KWG merchandise.
Looking ahead, Kuegel and Whittaker plan to gradually expand their showroom, which currently spans 3,600 square feet. They are committed to growing their inventory and maintaining a one-stop-shop experience for firearms, ammunition, holsters, reloading equipment, and more.
Embracing the business principles once championed by Daryl Whittaker, the duo aims to offer a fair and straightforward retail experience.
“We’re going right back to how Daryl did business. That’s exactly what we’re going back to,” Kuegel said.
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