What happened to Hero Gear?

[DaveTN]

I knew that Joe sold, but when I just went to the “Forum Vendors†area I don’t see them.

[Just2Honor]

I was in the store in Winchester about three months ago. Same name, same location, same signage. Clerks were upbeat and talking about the new ownership and didn't seem like they were worried about closing. Don't know for sure but I "heard it through the grapevine" that the new owner is a pilot with FedEx.

[R1100R]

I was in about four weeks ago and they looked like they were doing ok. The selection has been downsize some as far as hi end pistols. The new owner is Rod and he is retired military, was in food service at the JFK Center for Special Warfare or something like that.( Behind the big Green Fence) He's a great guy and is the test pilot now for Fed Ex. He has always been there as a partner and Joe sold out to him.

Edited May 7, 2011 by R1100R

[Guest bkelm18]

I knew that Joe sold, but when I just went to the “Forum Vendors” area I don’t see them.

Likely the new owners aren't participating in this board, so since Joe isn't a part of Hero Gear anymore (I assume), there really isn't anyone to maintain their vendor forum.

[Mike.357]

I am guessing he made a pot of money and went back to the west coast

[Erik88]

Is Joe still recovering from his injuries? I remember he was in a pretty bad ATV accident IIRC.

[Mike.357]

Is Joe still recovering from his injuries? I remember he was in a pretty bad ATV accident IIRC.

been there done that, hope its not the case

[Caster]

I am guessing he made a pot of money and went back to the west coast

I thought Bimmerfreak was Joe? BattleMug and all. He's had stuff for sale just in the last few weeks.

Been there too on the ATV accidents. They suck, very much bad.

[Guest bkelm18]

I thought Bimmerfreak was Joe?

Correct.

[Mike.357]

I hope all is good in Joe's world.

[mikegideon]

Welcome to Hero Gear

[TGO David]

Likely the new owners aren't participating in this board, so since Joe isn't a part of Hero Gear anymore (I assume), there really isn't anyone to maintain their vendor forum.

This.

I am guessing he made a pot of money and went back to the west coast

I'm guessing you don't know what you're talking about either.

[BimmerFreak]

Hero-Gear is open and being run by the new own, and my former partner Rod.

I wish him and his crew the best of luck.

I'm still in TN for a few more years.

My daughter goes to a private school here, and graduates in 2015.

I am focusing all of my time of being a dad (something that was hard while running HG) and lowering my stress level.

After that, who knows where I will end up.

I am still doing some things in the gun industry, but will not have a retail shop due to my non-compete.

I just returned from some pretty exciting meetings in Pittsburgh at the NRA Convention.

I am getting ready to relaunch Battle Mug in a big way, and have a couple new products that we will be applying for patients on in the coming month.

So Hero-Gear is still around, and I hope you guys will go visit them and post some feedback.

Joe

[Caster]

I am focusing all of my time of being a dad (something that was hard while running HG) and lowering my stress level.

Joe

You can wipe your butt on fame and fortune fellas, ^This is wisdom and two decisions he'll never regret. Here's to quiet weekends and fish sandwiches Joe!

[BimmerFreak]

I hear ya.

The last 3 years of running HG, I was a horrible father, husband, friend, son, you name it.

Way too stressed, way to focused on something that ultimately isn't really all that important.

So now I have time to pick my kid up from school, attend her special events, go boating with her, and we are even taking bass guitar lessons together.

Being a dad rocks.

[willis68]

I hear ya.

The last 3 years of running HG, I was a horrible father, husband, friend, son, you name it.

Way too stressed, way to focused on something that ultimately isn't really all that important.

So now I have time to pick my kid up from school, attend her special events, go boating with her, and we are even taking bass guitar lessons together.

Being a dad rocks.

That is awesome news Joe, being successful is nothing if we don't have time to be a great Dad to our Daughters, I wish you all of the best my friend!

[Guest kdud03]

well with me being a local an not working due to being paralyzed 8-22-09 i used to b in hero gear daily.

unfortuanately i do not go in there much anymore. from my personal opinion i have found that hero gear has lost there strive for customer satisfaction due to being under manned . everytime i go in there....Jeff is the only employee i see. He is A good friend of mine but will tell you just as he has told me that he prefers to be a 1911 builder an not a sales man. i have yet to see the new owner there. there was an older fellow that came thru wen i was there but after trying to speak 3 times i figured he wasnt to friendly an havent spokin again since. the lady that handles there paper work is always real sweet though.Mike is always busy doing other stuff. I think they need another person to help out an it would make things much better. With Mike doing things an Jeff being alone it is hard to keep up I am sure.

i am well known at hero gear as Wheelz an am friends with everyone there. I just call it how i see it!!

Edited May 14, 2011 by kdud03

[Chief07]

I hear ya.

The last 3 years of running HG, I was a horrible father, husband, friend, son, you name it.

Way too stressed, way to focused on something that ultimately isn't really all that important.

So now I have time to pick my kid up from school, attend her special events, go boating with her, and we are even taking bass guitar lessons together.

Being a dad rocks.

I hear that. I was there for my girls. Band parent. Marching band etc.

Your kids are only young once. And if you are there for them, they remember it for thier

lifetime. I would not have traded it for anything.

You did the right thing!

[Guest kdud03]

Yes Joe did the right thing. I have spoken with a few times after his leave from Hero Gear an have to say he is alot nicer guy now. honestly used to think he was quite an ******* but have become good friends with him in the past year or so. he has grreat ideas for his future but more so than anything has come to realize his role as a parent is #1. I know his daughter enjoys this also!!