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52
April 10 • 2014
The building inspector really helped. The
fire department and police department
supported us. It was a synergy effort, and
dward Kellert was about 6 years we really got it done together. By the end
old when he developed a fasci-
of the process, even the naysayers were
nation with firearms.
on our side, because they knew what we
"My father taught me to appreciate
were trying to bring to the community
and respect guns — the seriousness of
was all positive"
them, to learn what they are and to enjoy
Kellert and Berger call Patriot
them" he says.
Firearms a boutique
Today, Kellert, 31,
gun shop with a focus
is CEO and co-owner
on education and cus-
of Patriot Firearms
tomer service.
& Outfitters, 19 N.
"There are other
Saginaw, in downtown
larger gun shops out
Pontiac. "This is my
there, but we aim to
passion," he says. "To
go above and beyond
be able to do some-
what anyone else will
thing every day that
do" Kellert says.
you enjoy is not work"
Patriot Firearms
Kellert started the
offers courses in gun
business late last year
safety monthly as well
with Shelby Berger,
as private instruction.
32. The two friends
"Many people are more
grew up together in
comfortable with the
Farmington Hills.
private one-on-one
Kellert became a
option" says Kellert, an
Lifelong friends Shelby Berger
bar mitzvah at Bais
NRA-certified instruc-
and Edward Kellert
Chabad of West
tor. "The No. 1 thing
Bloomfield, graduated
is to make sure people
from West Bloomfield High School and
are properly educated"
then got a degree in military history
Patriot Firearms customers
from Florida Atlantic University. Berger
include the Oakland County Sheriff's
became a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in Department and the Birmingham and
West Bloomfield, graduated from North
Bloomfield Hills police departments.
Farmington High School and earned
"Without our police brethren to help
a degree in communications from
support us, we wouldn't be where we are
Michigan State University. The idea to
right now" Berger says.
co-own a gun shop germinated a couple
He adds that some people buy fire-
of years ago.
arms as an investment. "Guns are a
"Some people say dorit go into busi-
stable commodity. You can buy one for
ness with friends and family" Kellert
$500, take care of it; then if you decide
says, "but when I think about combining to sell it in a few years, get your money
my knowledge with Shelby's mindset,
back"
skills and expertise, how could it not
Product offerings include imported
work?"
and antique firearms.
Berger runs two family businesses
Future plans include adding a shoot-
across the street from the gun shop —
ing range by the end of next year, as well
Main Street Pawn Shop and Cloud 22
as providing uniforms and related acces-
Glassworks. "My father started these
sories to local law enforcement agencies.
businesses. He instilled an entrepre-
"Our hope is to not be just another
neurial spirit in us" he says. "He was a
gun shop" Kellert says. "We care about
driving force in getting Patriot Firearms
our community and its safety and doing
going because he saw how Eddie would
our part, however small, in keeping good
treat customers. In our family, there's
and honest people properly educated and
really no distinction between good
armed. We also want to do our part to
friends and family"
see downtown Pontiac thrive. There are
The effort to open a gun shop was not
a lot of positive things happening here"
easy, Berger says. "There were a lot of
Patriot Firearms is open weekdays
obstacles. It took time to get state, city
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information,
and federal licensing. We had to be per-
sistent, but the city of Pontiac was great.
contact Patriotfirearmsl@gmail.com .
Contributing Writer
1902410
❑