Apocalypse Hardware sells guns, hunting equipment in Batavia

Violent incidents in this country tend to have a strange affect on gun stores. They make it the best of times and the worst of times to be operating one.

Considering the most recent episodes of violence, and that the country's debate over guns for several decades has not resulted in any legislation that would stop that violence, a lot of attention focuses on gun stores or shows and the process of obtaining firearms.

Against that backdrop, owner Richard Schlesinger and his son-in-law Chris Bonner operate Apocalypse Hardware at 215 Oswalt Ave., in an industrial section of Batavia.

Apocalypse Hardware is essentially a gun store focusing on custom machining, hunting equipment, ammunition and other supplies for outdoorsmen. But it's a warehouse and manufacturing plant as well.

The site opened in May, and some residents have since asked city officials what this store is all about and whether a gun store is really needed here.

These questions occur in others places when a gun store opens, but many hunters and gun enthusiasts appreciate a local place to pick up equipment and ammunition.

The name creates some confusion, especially for anyone searching for Apocalypse Hardware on the web.

"We definitely are not the Apocalypse Hardware that sells handcuffs and masks," Bonner said. "We have heard that several times, and people have come in here expecting something else."

Some visitors "were pleasantly surprised" as to what the Batavia store really is, while others were looking for other materials they had seen on websites, Bonner added.

Apocalypse Hardware operates in light industry zoning, which allows up to 1,000 square feet of space to sell products manufactured on the premises, and other products directly related to what the business processes, said Joel Strassman, city planning and zoning officer.

Though he could not get specific as to what type of questions the city had received about the business, Strassman said he follows through on any questions or complaints the city might get about area businesses.

When Schlesinger was seeking to open his business in Batavia, Strassman said the "rights and restrictions of the zoning district were explained and he fully understood them."

So, at the time, there are no issues with the business other than some residents get uneasy at the thought of guns being sold. But others find it no different from a major sporting goods store selling hunting rifles and ammunition.

As a former Marine, Bonner says he understands the firearms business and has created classroom space on the site for hunter safety classes or other sessions that promote safe gun ownership.

Tragedies like the police officer deaths in Dallas definitely heighten sensitivities.

"We have people come in to talk and ask questions after something like that, sometimes just wondering if we are going to raise prices on our firearms," Bonner said. "That was a tragedy in Dallas, not a business opportunity, so we would never do that."

Obviously, Bonner has strong feelings about the right to bear arms in the U.S.

"I'm retired out of the Marines, and that's what we did ... we were fighting to ensure the people had their rights in this country," he said.

Some are quick to consider any gun store a reckless operation. The wiser approach is the one some residents have already taken. Ask questions or raise concerns with the city or store owners. There is nothing wrong with making sure the city is sharing information about a legal business that can cause some uneasiness.

It's a Grandstander:

Those who enjoyed Matsuri Japanese restaurant in Dodson Place on Third Street in Geneva will have to go for a different food type when Grandstander opens in that spot in the future.

Grandstander will operate as the "sister" restaurant to the Finery and Blacksmith Bar in St. Charles, under the same owners, said Geneva Economic Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko.

The Finery, owned by chef David Reyes and his wife, Juliette, has had good reviews from folks who have eaten there, so it stands to reason that we can expect the same from Grandstander. No word yet on when it might open.

Time for arts:

If it's getting close to the time for the Geneva Arts Fair, it seems like you can usually count on it being pretty hot outside.

We can't control the weather for July 23 and 24, but we can say that walking along Third Street and visiting the various art booths during this event is not a high-energy task that is troublesome in hot weather. The artists sitting out there all day may not like it much, but they certainly are used to all types of weather.

Translated: It may be hot out, but give the art show a try. It's really good.

Escape from Merlin:

Escape rooms are becoming all the rage it seems, as adults engage in these hourlong mysteries to escape from a room through clues and teamwork.

If it's that much fun, it must mean kids would want to do it as well. Now they get their chance.

The Room Fox Valley, 160 S. Water St. in Batavia, is offering "Merlin's Chamber" as its escape room just for kids ages 9 to 12.

Advanced registration for groups of six kids can be made online at TheRoomFoxValley.com.

No chili for me:

It was nice of Marie Pederson of Batavia to ask if I would be interested in being a judge at a Chili Cookoff event at which she was a volunteer.

For as much as I write about food, there are a few types that I like, but they don't like me. They express this dislike by rumbling and tumbling in my stomach.

Chili is one of those foods; doughnuts are another. So, it wouldn't be fair to try to pretend to be a judge at a chili cook-off. That role should go to someone who delights in this specialty.

dheun@sbcglobal.net