‘Felt like I lost a child’: Customers react to Henrico gun range closing

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — The Colonial Shooting Academy (CSA) in Henrico County announced Monday it’s shutting its doors for the final time in September.

Customers described finding out about the closing as “shocking” and even “heartbreaking.” CSA member Steve Parrish said he found out about the store closing Monday when he came by the range.

“Felt like I lost a kid,” he said. “Like one of my best friends is leaving and not gonna come back.”

Parrish said he has been coming to CSA multiple times a week for the last three years and said the group of friends he’s made there is like a brotherhood.

“It’s gone. A week from today, this place is no longer for us to come and get together,” he said.

The store and shooting range will officially close Sept. 4 after nearly 12 years. In a press release, CSA’s owners said the closure is due to “market volatility, inflation and other factors.” There are just under 50 employees.

“I can’t do anything about it,” Parrish said. “I can’t cut a check and make it all go away.”

While speaking with 8News, Parrish paused and waved to a UPS driver.

“Yeah, the UPS guy. I mean, we know everybody,” he said.

Parrish described the range as a controlled, safe environment for using firearms and helping others do the same if it’s something they’ve never done before. He said it’s invigorating to help people like he was helped when he started coming three years ago.

The building will go on the market later this week and the store’s inventory will be auctioned on Oct. 16. In the meantime, Parrish said he and his friends don’t know where they’ll go. They’ve just been spending time together and saying their goodbyes to employees

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