BREANNA HANLEY/The Express Above, Philip “Phil” and Janet “Jan” Miller are pictured behind the counter at Miller’s Gun Shop in Mill Hall, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

MILL HALL — Miller’s Gun Shop, located at 6945 Nittany Valley Drive, Mill Hall, has been a hometown source for the best outdoor and hunting gear for 60 years.

The shop, which was established by Philip “Phil” and Janet “Jan” Miller in 1965, began on the back porch of the family home. The business is located at what used to be the family farm where dairy operations took place. The shop operated off the back porch for six months before moving to the basement of the farm house.

Since then, Miller’s Gun Shop has become a destination many travel to for quality help with good products. The day to day operations of the business have been seen to by the family — with kids and grandkids growing up working in the shop.

“Both of my parents were teaching, they were educators, running the family farm with my grandfather. My grandmother was a teacher, too. As things progressed, the guns came into the mix, the repairs of Massey Ferguson. But it really started in ’64 on the back porch,” said Beth Miller-Bason.

Beth, her son, Bryce, and her husband, Steve Bason, took over ownership from Beth’s parents in 2021, and have been running the business the same way it always has been.

“I started getting a paycheck when I graduated high school,” said Beth, “We vacuumed the floor, dusted the product. Those were our chores.”

“They were really cheap labor,” joked Bryce.

The family, along with some additional employees, work five days a week to bring you the best possible service with a friendly atmosphere.

“We always try to aim for the hometown hardware store type of vibe where you can walk in and chit chat, catch up with what’s new,” said Bryce.

The fully stocked showroom has over 14,000 sq. ft. of all of your outdoor needs.

The shop’s inventory includes guns and gun accessories, archery gear including bows and crossbows, clothing, treestands/blinds, game calls and decoys, optics and more.

“Grandpap wanted to see it continue and trusted us to do it. We added staff — it’s been an absolutely giant blessing to have good help in the right places. It helps (Mom) and I go further and do more. It’s cool to see the progression. The range of clientele and how far and wide people come to get good, knowledgeable help with products,” said Bryce.

In 1984 an archery department was added at the suggestion of family friend Rick Noll. The archery department has continued to grow and expand over the years and now represents a large portion of their business.

“How many businesses survive to the third generation?” asked Beth’s husband, Steve, “This truly is a family business. We have the latitude to make calls on the fly. There’s no big corporate box store to get orders from.”

It’s difficult to equate 60 years of service into words, but everyone at Miller’s Gun Shop agreed: the customers have been the best part.

“There’s a lot of neat, diverse folks whose lives we get to be a part of. And they get to be a part of ours on a day to day basis. We get to share in their hunts,” said Beth.

“Without your clients, there’s no reason to be here,” she continued, “Getting to know them over time… You feel fortunate. It’s really a multitude of ‘aha’ moments that make up why you walk through the door everyday. You know it’s going to be an interesting day.”

The history of customers, family members and their hunts are displayed on the walls — mounted elk, whitetail, black bear and coyote mounts from family and friends.

Through physical, taxidermied representations of trophies bagged to the stories customers tell, the Gun Shop has seen a seemingly infinite amount of stories to be told.

“We get to live through their experiences,” Bryce agreed, “This place is the launching pad for a lot of adventures.”

Over the last 60 years, Miller’s Gun Shop has seen an endless amount of faces walk through their doors.

“I think about the people I knew as a child who came into the shop who now bring their children, and even their grandchildren. It’s really fun to watch the progression,” said Beth.

“A lot of work went into this place,” said Jan, “Meeting the people, visiting… I taught fourth grade, I’ve had old students come in. Meeting old friends and making new ones.”

Though Jan and Phil have transferred ownership to the next generation, they can still be found at the shop.

Jan spoke about the importance of having somewhere to go at her age where she can experience a sense of community.

“I asked them not to fire me,” she joked, “I can be the official greeter. I’m the Miller’s greeter. You don’t get this sitting at home. My dad used to come and visit after he retired from Piper. He’d wipe the guns down, throw some hay in for the beefers. It gave him something to do, too. Keep yourself active and on the go, that’s the important thing.”

When asked for his favorite memory of his time at the shop, Phil didn’t have a specific memory to point to.

“I would really have to dissect that question. I don’t have a good answer for it. There are some very unusual individuals (who come here) and some of them have been coming back almost as long as we’ve been here,” he said.

Bryce had the same thought as his grandfather, unable to come up with one specific memory that stood out among the rest.

“I don’t think (I can point out) a single memory (as a favorite,) because several times a week (I) get to see a client succeed. On my phone from Sept. 10th to the 25th I’ll get 20 pictures from archery clients that took a bucket list bull out West, or clients will bring in a set of antlers after we tuned a bow and helped them out. Kids come in with thank you cards for showing them how to shoot a bow. It’s that stuff that is so gratifying,” said Bryce.

Jan, who always has a fresh bundle of flowers decorating the counter, said she does so because her customers get to enjoy it as much as she does.

“I don’t mind sharing,” she said, “I spend more time in the shop than I do at home. I get to enjoy them with my customers — that’s the name of the game,” she said.

The newest member of the team and Bryce’s girlfriend, Sharae Brooks, has high hopes for the future of the business.

“I love it here. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I’m learning the ropes now. Hopefully (Bryce) and I can be as good as Phil and Jan. I look up to Beth a lot, so I hope I can run things like her, too,” said Sharae.

Millers Gun Shop is heavily involved in the community as well, and have been involved in many fundraisers and community events.

They open their store as a meeting place for local YHEC kids and have even converted the archery range into a classroom for hunter’s safety courses. They’ve even hosted a turkey calling contest for the National Wild Turkey Federation.

“It’s pretty amazing that we made it (60 years) and we’re all still together,” said Beth, “(People) know us. (They know) we’re eclectic — we have everything from artwork from our family to our friend’s elk on the wall. We’re just the shop. I wouldn’t know any way to run it but the way we do.”

“I’m very glad the shop is still here after 60 years,” said Phil, “It started out well and it’s still going. A lot of times things like this don’t go on to the next generation — they come to a screeching halt. I’m hoping it gets to a fourth (generation).”

Miller’s Gun Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

You can find more information on their website at millersgunshopinc.com or on their Facebook, Millers GSI. You can also call the shop at 570-726-3030.