Submitted Photo Pictured is M&M Sports Den, which has recently closed down.

JAMESTOWN — M&M Sports Den, a longtime local store known for selling hunting and fishing equipment, has closed its doors.

Established in 1957, M&M Sports Den was known for selling mainly items such as pistols, rifles, shotguns, rods and reels. Owner Bruce Piatz said from the beginning the store was for the customers.

“Everything sold was repaired in-house because customer service was our main goal,” Piatz said.

Located at 808 N. Main St., M&M Sports Den slowly lost customers because of increasing state regulations, Piatz said. He added that over the years federal and state regulations have made it difficult for customers to purchase firearms, and for federally Licensed Firearms Dealers to sell them.

“In September of 2023 there were more laws with more restrictions on purchasing firearms and ammo,” Piatz said. “Ammunition sales had to be approved by the New York State Police via a records check. There was a fee for the check, which angered New Yorker’s even more.”

Because of this and being 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.

“Consequently millions of dollars flowed to PA and New York state shot themselves in the foot again,” Piatz said. “I lost thousands of dollars in sales because of the exodus. Customers told me straight up where they were going.”

Everything left at M&M Sports Den has gone to Peterson’s Auction, including the building. Piatz said he chose to send his inventory there after hearing many positive comments about Peterson’s Auction, and that they have done excellent work for other people, so he left it up to them.

Piatz will still be seen around Jamestown, just in a different place and position.

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

Overall, Piatz expressed his thanks to the many loyal customers he had over the years. He said they are what he will miss the most after closing M&M Sports Den.

“The one thing I will miss drastically is not seeing all of my faithful customers and friends,” Piatz said. “Many were Jamestown Police, New York State Troopers, Lakewood Police, Dunkirk Police, Chautauqua County Sheriffs, and people from all walks of life who I have gotten to know over the many years that I have been here. I cannot comprehend the amount of decent people who supported me throughout the years. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”