Located just two stores down from his brother’s ham radio supply store, another member of the Fair family has set up shop in downtown Dowagiac.

Eric Fair, a native of Vandalia and resident of South Bend, opened the doors of his new business, Fair’s Gun ‘n Gear, Wednesday morning. As the name implies, the business, located on 109 Pennsylvania Ave., sells a variety of new and used firearms, ammunition, accessories, knives and apparel.

Fair has partnered with brothers David, Hugh and Ben and nephew Joseph in his new business venture.

“It’s a hobby I enjoy, and that many others enjoy as well,” Fair said. “I’m just trying to share what I love with others.”

Fair, who also works for Indiana power company NIPSCO, has been preparing the 950 square feet storefront for business since his brother, David, acquired the building in May, Fair said. He has devoted many of his weekends since spring restoring the location, which formerly housed a print shop and take-out restaurant.

Fair and his brothers have been avid hunters, shooters and outdoorsmen since early childhood, he said. Their father, who passed away in 2004, had been in the firearms business before, selling guns from their home, Fair said.

“It’s kind of a tribute to our dad because he always wanted to open his own store,” Fair said.

Unlike other locations near Dowagiac that sell firearms for hunting, Fair is focusing his business mainly around people who want to purchase guns for self defense.

The store offers a variety of handguns and rifles, including the popular and highly customizable AR-15. The store offers a variety of parts and accessories for the rifle, which people can use to modify the gun to their tastes, Fair said.

“It’s like LEGOs for big boys,” he said.

The store also sells smaller caliber rifles, designed primarily for practicing. Fair is also selling used and consigned vintage guns for collectors, including decades-old Russian and American rifles and revolvers.

Customers can expect new products for sale on frequent basis, Fair said.

“I’m just trying to offer people things that weren’t being offered around here before,”
he said.

Fair’s Gun ‘n Gear is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The store is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, contact the store at 782-6538.