A&A ARMORY ENJOYS SUCCESS DUE TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT, CONNECTIONS

A&A Armory

618-545-7812

135 E. Broadway, Centralia, IL

With one year in the history books and a great deal of success and community support earned during that time, A&A Armory is looking to grow.

“We are planning on going to Phase 2 soon, which will include an indoor shooting range,” said owner Alan Betters, who advised the plan would require a new location. “We’d like to have regular shooting, concealed carry classes, and competitions some days at the indoor shooting range.”

“Depending on the building, we’d also like to have a facility for how to maneuver through hallways and doorways and manipulate the environment you’re in with a team or by yourself. We’d like police to be able to use the space for trainings, and in the off-hours, we’d like to have it open for kids to use for airsoft and paintball.”

Betters said he hopes to keep A&A Armory downtown, noting the business has very much enjoyed being located in the heart of Centralia.

“It’s been amazing. The local community, the people coming in and supporting us; it’s all been great,” Betters said. “Our customers can go anywhere, but they trust us. In a year’s time, we have people that come in, drink coffee, and tell stories. It’s been very, very, fun.”

A&A Armory has also become involved in many community events since opening, having served as security for the 2024 Centralia Balloon Fest and most recently a participating business in the Downtown Christmas Stroll.

“[The Stroll] was one of our biggest days for business,” said Betters. “We hand hundreds of people in the store that night. A lot of parents would come back in after their family had gone through and found the ornament, to look around some more or shop. It was great.”

Though he has his sights set on a larger location, Betters has continued to expand his offerings in the meantime.

“We’ve added more product,” said Betters. “There is more clothing and different clothing lines. We also have gator glasses, which are new, and we’ve added a lot of survival food. That has been a big seller. We are definitely growing out of our space, so Phase 2 can’t come fast enough.”

Betters said he encourages any budding entrepreneurs to start a business in Centralia, particularly the downtown area, citing community support as the number one reason.

“I don’t even think it matters what kind of business it is, because the community is going to support you,” said Betters. “When we were opening, I thought we would get some backlash because people don’t like guns, and it’s been the opposite. No matter what, you will have backing, you will have support. This town is amazing when it comes to that.”