Steve Champion, owner of American Gun & Pawn, has opened his family business in his hometown of Brooksville five weeks ago. For Champion, Downtown Brooksville is “where his roots run deep and conservative values have been grounded for generations.” His father and grandfather were born in town, even having a street named after them, Champion always knew this is where he wanted his business to be.
The Coney Island Drive-Inn, next door to the shop, used to be a place Champion walked to when he was a young boy. His family settled in town in the 1920’s, and now his shop is a family business with his wife, four children, and one of his daughter’s significant others helping out with the shop. “He’s always wanted to do this,” said wife, Shanda, about Champion’s dream on opening the shop.