OLD AND NEW AT CARROLL’S GUN SHOP

In October of 2019, John Herlitz, a former sales representative and his wife, Pam, purchased a storied gun shop in Wharton.

The couple made career changes after years of discussions between Herlitz and Taylor Carroll, the owner of Carroll’s Gun Shop, while Herlitz was a representative with Owens Outdoor Sales.

“Mr. Carroll would joke about selling it for a few years, and would say, “Did you bring the check,” Herlitz said.

Carroll’s Gun Shop began in 1960, owned by Taylor’s father. Taylor Carroll purchased the business in 1988 and, in 2004, bought a 100-year-old building on the highway where the business remains.

“The building was a bar at one time,” Herlitz said. “The bar is still in it.”

When Carroll was ready, the couple talked about it and and decided it was a worthy endeavor. The decision was a good one and, after just more than a year, was made at the right time.

“It’s been crazy,” Herlitz said. “The name of the store stayed the same, but the business has been through the roof. Plans we had to expand into other areas were put on hold to deal with what the customers want and need — firearms and ammunition.”

Old relationships in the industry helped.

“We were able to get product,” Herlitz said. “I’ve never seen anything like this with demand and supply being so far apart. The pie of supply is the same size, but there are more people trying to eat from it.”

In one week, Herlitz said a shipment of 5.56 ammo came in.

“We sold 150,000 rounds in five days,” he said.

Whether it’s rifles, shotguns, handguns or ammunition, Carroll’s Gun Shop in Wharton is worth a stop, and their inventory will surprise you.

And when you’re done shopping, maybe you can tell hunting stories by a 100-year-old bar.

CARROLL’S GUN SHOP

☎ (979) 532-3175

https://www.carrollsgunshop.com/