Fort Smith, Arkansas– November 2023. – In the third video of Walther’s Beyond the Counter series, we travel to Brandon, Mississippi, the home of Van’s Deer Processing. This episode features Van Allen, owner and founder, who got his first taste of store ownership at six years old while behind the cash register of his family’s grocery store.
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Family-owned and operated for over 25 years, Van’s Deer Processing has grown into an extremely successful sporting goods and firearms store. As with most passion projects, the business started as a side hustle in those hours after the day job was done. Once it grew to the point of interfering with Allen’s work at the grocery store, it was time to branch out. Now, Van’s Deer Processing is not only handling 25,000 deer per year in their new 9,500 sq. ft processing facility, but they’re expanding their sales area by an additional 7,500 sq. ft.
“I always had an interest in the outdoors, but there also wasn’t a surplus of gun and ammunition stores in the county. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with employees who have been with me for 15-20 years, and partnerships with historic brands, like Walther,” said Van Allen, owner and founder of Van’s Deer Processing. “My relationship with Walther continues to grow. Over the years they have upped their game with their products and features, ensuring that my customers are using firearms that they are confident in and comfortable using. Customers are constantly complimenting the triggers and the PDP-F series. Being that the F-Series was designed to meet the needs of shooters with a smaller grip size, our female clientele has definitely increased over the years, which is so important to the health of our business as well.”
Beyond the Counter is not just a series about firearms and gear; it’s about the people who make these stores special.
“Working with premier dealers, like Van’s Deer Processing, allows our brand to reach consumers where they are and meet their needs within their communities. It’s important to Walther that we never lose sight of the people who continue to help us keep growing our brand and the firearms community as a whole,” said Nick Gutierrez, dealer/buy group channel manager at Walther Arms. “They understand the value of creating partnerships, building trust, and being a significant part of something bigger. We’re all gaining so much more than just sales. We get to experience time with family and friends, doing something we love, with great products that keep us safe, confident, and ready for whatever the day brings.”
In the coming months, the Beyond the Counter series will uncover more stories from behind the counters of trusted firearms retailers across the country.
About Walther
“It’s your DUTY to be READY” is a message of sincerity that Walther must build the best performing firearms. It is a message to every shooter who understands the importance of firearms safety and the inalienable right to bear arms. It is a message to clearly and concisely show that Walther is doing everything in its power to support shooters everywhere with not just the absolute best in firearm innovation and performance but also access to the best training and informative firearms community. History has shown Walther’s dedication to this message, beginning in 1886 and continuing today, with the innovative spirit that builds off the invention of the concealed carry gun by creating duty grade weapons such as the PDP and world-class rimfire products such as the P22 and WMP. Walther will continue its long tradition of technical expertise and innovation in the design and production of firearms to meet the demands of any customer. Excellent service and superior quality will continue to be benchmarks of Walther’s success.
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