MORGANTOWN — We now know Big Daddy Guns is not coming to The Deck, but is the firearms retailer still coming to Monongalia County?
Defense in Depth will play host Wednesday as the book is either closed on the Florida-based business’s local plans, or the next chapter begins.
Big Daddy Unlimited Public Relations Coordinator Nick Lahera put out a release Monday announcing a press conference starting at 6:30 p.m. at Defense in Depth, a firearm retailer, range and training center located at 1389 Earl Core Road.
Lahera previously said both he and Big Daddy Guns Co-founder Sherrie McKnight would be making the trip to Morgantown.
Doors for the event open at 6 p.m. While Lahera said the public is welcome to attend, space will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The press conference is in response to news Friday that Hardy World, the developer behind The Deck at 1050 University Ave., had terminated a lease agreement with Big Daddy Guns for retail space in the new development.
This announcement came after weeks of public debate. Community group Protect Morgantown was formed to oppose the company locating downtown, citing the company’s provocative marketing strategy.
The group also opposed the University Avenue location of the store, citing its proximity to the city’s downtown, WVU, Morgantown High and numerous places of worship, and is now pushing changes to the city’s zoning code that would restrict where gun stores can locate.
Lahera told The Dominion Post in late July that Big Daddy Guns was looking at other potential store locations.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
