Submitted photo. Pictured is M&M Sports Den, which recently closed.

JAMESTOWN – M&M Sports Den, a long-established local store known for selling hunting and fishing equipment, has closed its doors.

Founded in 1957, M&M Sports Den was best known for selling items such as pistols, rifles, shotguns, fishing rods and fishing reels. Owner Bruce Piatz said the store was designed with customers in mind from the start.

“All products sold were repaired internally because customer service was our top priority,” said Piatz.

M&M Sports Den, located at 808 N. Main St., was slowly losing customers due to increasing state regulations, Piatz said. He added that over the years, federal and state regulations have made it more difficult for customers to buy firearms and for state-licensed gun dealers to sell them.

“In September 2023, there were further laws with more restrictions on the purchase of firearms and ammunition,” said Piatz. “The sale of ammunition had to be approved by the New York State Police through a paperwork review. A fee was charged for the review, which further angered New Yorkers.”

Because of this, and because New York is so close to the Pennsylvania border, Piatz said New York residents began buying ammunition and other items from retailers in other states. Piatz lost many customers as a result.

“As a result, millions of dollars flowed into Pennsylvania, and New York State once again scored an own goal,” said Piatz. “I lost thousands of dollars in sales because of the exodus. Customers told me directly where they were going.”

Everything that was left at M&M Sports Den went to Peterson’s Auction, including the building. Piatz said he decided to send his inventory there after hearing a lot of positive comments about Peterson’s Auction and because they had done great work for other people, so he let them take care of it.

Piatz will still be seen in the Jamestown area, just in a different location and position.

“I was offered a position at Runnings, which I gladly accepted, and I am looking forward to working there,” said Piatz. “I’ll be in the gun department and hopefully see some of my customers there.”

Overall, Piatz thanked the many loyal customers he has had over the years, saying they are the ones he will miss the most after closing M&M Sports Den.

“What I will miss most is not being able to see all my loyal customers and friends anymore,” said Piatz. “Many were Jamestown Police, New York State Troopers, Lakewood Police, Dunkirk Police, Chautauqua County Sheriffs and people from all walks of life that I have met over the many years that I have been here. I cannot begin to comprehend how many decent people have supported me over the years. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”