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When Jim Furry retired in 2004 after a 35-year career as an Army engineer, he began looking for a way to keep busy. At the same time, Furry’s son, Travis, was seeking a business opportunity to supplement his chiropractic office. When Robert Rosencrans, the owner of MI Military Store, adjacent to Travis Furry’s office announced his plans to retire, Travis and his wife bought the business and installed Jim Furry as manager.

“I had zero retail experience,” Furry explained. “But I am a very technical person and have been around the military all my life. I saw the business as a good opportunity to continue my relationship with young soldiers.”

While Travis Furry and his wife own the store, Jim Furry operates it exclusively.

Located at 964 East Fry Boulevard in Sierra Vista, Arizona, a city in extreme southern Arizona, MI Military Store is about 70 miles south of its nearest competitor, Miller’s Surplus in Tucson.

Sierra Vista is home to Fort Huachuca, which was established 1867 and is one of the oldest active military posts in the U.S. “The town grew around the post,” Furry said.

Furry’s first month in the army/navy store business in 2005 was an intensive learning experience

“One of the items in the deal I made with the previous owner was that he would work with me for one month before he completely backed out of the picture. I took copious notes and he gave me the opportunity to talk with the suppliers he had at the time, which included most of the major suppliers that I have now,” Furry explained.

After Rosencrans‘s departure, Furry furthered communications lines with suppliers by contacting and interviewing them himself.

“I told them my story, and they offered me the opportunity to work closely with them. They basically took me under their wings,” he said.

Among his suppliers, then and now, are Fox, Rothco, Atlanco, Propper, Raine, Supply Room, and Eagle Emblems. Footwear suppliers include Wellco, Altama and Belleville.

Furry has continued his education by attending major trade shows.

“Trade shows are extremely important,” he said. “My relationship with the army keeps me attuned to the special needs of service members. The shows give me the opportunity to meet face to face with the vendors and see the products they are offering, as well as to give them insights that I may have about the needs of soldiers in my area.”

Soldiers from Fort Huachuca comprise a large segment of Furry’s customers. Other important customer bases include law enforcement personnel, especially members of the U.S. Border Patrol, hikers and campers and the general public at large.