By WESLIE STRATTON
Moapa Valley Progress
Mesquite’s newest business, GRI Firearms, celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, June 11 with a community open house and ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber President and CEO Karol Kolson welcomed attendees of the event and introduced business owners Chris and Kristi Griffiths.
“We’re really excited to welcome Chris and Kristi here this morning,” Kolson said. “We had the honor of visiting with them and getting a tour of their store and seeing what all they have to offer.”
Kolson said that the business offers much more than just firearms.
“Safety training, survival training [and] they can even customize packs if you want to go out and hike so you can be safe here in the desert,” she said.
Prior to cutting the ceremonial red ribbon, Mesquite Mayor Al Littman said that GRI Firearms is a much needed business in the area.
“I’m glad they’re here and I know they’re going to be successful in Mesquite,” Littman said.
Following the event owner Chris Griffiths said that the business doubles as a full-service gun store as well as a full-service outdoor store including four-wheeling, hiking and camping equipment.
“We want to spread our enjoyment of things we like to do,” he said.
Griffiths said that the overall level of expertise that is offered at the store makes it unique.
“We do a lot of training and repairs as well,” he said. “We bring something in experience that no one around has.”
Griffiths added that, while the store sells firearms, they will not sell an individual something they don’t need just to make a sale. He said that they hope to help customers feel comfortable and familiar with their choice before they make a final purchase.
Safety is also emphasized at GRI Firearms, Griffiths said. The store provides survival bags and equipment so that individuals can enjoy the outdoors but be prepared.
Griffiths and his wife live locally and look forward to working with store patrons in helping them enjoy the same hobbies and passions safely.
“I’m passionate about what I do and I love it,” Griffiths said.
GRI Firearms is located at 50 S Arrowhead Ln, Suite E. The business is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
