Simmons in Bessemer Alabama prepping for riots....family owned business, GB member

Locust Fork

This is just one of the most stressful things I've seen....posts about rioters planning to target the city of Bessemer and specifically posting that they are going to target Simmons Sporting Goods.  They are doing all they can to prepare for whatever happens.   They have stayed in Bessemer through the hardest times and they are one of the reasons that Bessemer has had a recent revitalization.     They could have spent all the money they did moving their business, but they decided to stay there and do a major remodel in the past few years.    I hope the city shows they appreciate what is their main source of revenue and protects that store with all they can.   The Simmons family are the best people I know, deep down good people with hearts of gold.    I hope everyone keeps them in your prayers.....


 

mark christian

I suppose due diligence is mandatory. I was surprised to learn that as of 2019, Bessemer ranks first in terms of violent crimes for US cities with 25,000 or more people. 

Locust Fork

Bessemer is very interesting and I had really hoped to see it continue the upward trend it recently has seen.    Things were wonderful when the Simmons family started their business, and like a lot of places that area went downhill and the great exodus happened to all businesses that meant anything to that area.   It was dark times for sure around there.   Things started to change in a better direction not all that long ago, but it has taken work along with the devoted people that remember the better times sticking around.     Simmons went that extra step and spent millions doing a major upgrade to their store.   They are the only store of that size that I know is family owned, not backed by a corporation or a chain outfit.    Bessemer has some award winning restaurants there....Bright Star is America's OLDEST family owned restaurant and has a dry aged ribeye that is something you'll talk about for years if you get the chance to try.   Bob Sykes is a barbeque place that has won several competitions and hosts a Blues Music festival every year.    There are several other spotlights to Bessemer that make it special....which is why Simmons didn't give up on the area and they stayed.     When I drive through there its hard to not notice things you didn't see long ago there......antique stores, coffee shops, popping up.    I hope this mess passes and Bessemer can continue to grow like it deserves to.   

chiefr

When I read stuff like this targeting gun dealers, it makes me think its not protesters or even rioters anymore. Its organized crime. 

Smitty500mag

When I was working in Hoover, AL back in 2001 and 2002 I used to go over to Simmons quite often at lunch time. That's a nice place. They had just anything you could think of for shooting and reloading. 

Smitty500mag

mark christian said:

I suppose due diligence is mandatory. I was surprised to learn that as of 2019, Bessemer ranks first in terms of violent crimes for US cities with 25,000 or more people. 

Anybody wanna take a guess why that is?

hobo9650

I live about 30 min north of Bessemer and really like Simmons.

Bessemer is a cesspool along with Fairfield  (that has recently declared to be bankrupt) and Birmingham are in a row up Hwy 20/59.  Guess what type Gov't they have  Red or Blue.  Shootings are a daily affair with Tuscaloosa (Southwest about 40 miles) coming a fast second.  All will be like Chicago soon.

People I have talked to in Alabama are really fed up.  Tension is definitely building the past few months.  Back in the 30's, 40's, and 50's we didn't have to put with all this stuff.  Thanks LBJ and the liberal bunch of terrorists.

select-fire

Had 500 rds of Lawman .40 delivered from them today.

Marc1301

Smitty500mag said:

Anybody wanna take a guess why that is?

I'm gonna say there's a lot of evil Swedes, and even some Irish there?

Ditch-Runner

 hope the best for them.  even just tearing up and looting whats left even if not set of fire will be devastation for a business  
   sad and yet main stream media and politicians are scared too call out the true problems 
in a real non PC world  allowing true  protecting property and drt looters would stop it 

 even around us areas we use to go to shopping many years ago all were doing well nice places well kept
 but over the years well they turned into cess pools  shoppers stopped going  stores left asap when leases expired .  profits sank due to lack of business and just loss prevention went south .  so much stealing and the neighborhoods around them were trashed  and then  of course the normal follow up on the news about such areas  we don't  have any local places to shop  
gee wonder why ?

Locust Fork

They have been diligent and have a pretty comprehensive plan to try to stay safe.   They have a minimal amount of inventory on hand, closing well before dark and letting it be known that there is no reason to even attempt to break in there.   I think the city has been aggressive toward curfew breakers and stopped any crowds that looked like they were gathering in that area.    I'm pretty proud of the job Bessemer has done to stop chaos from brewing in that area.   It wouldn't be hard for it to get out of control there.   

Smitty500mag

Marc1301 said:

Smitty500mag said:

Anybody wanna take a guess why that is?

I'm gonna say there's a lot of evil Swedes, and even some Irish there?

Looks like we got a winner.  Those damn Swedes are getting out of hand. Probably a few Finns with them too. 

TRAP55

This happened about 10 mins from me the other night.

https://www.thereporter.com/2020/06/02/civil-unrest-leads-to-night-of-looting-in-solano-county/

allen griggs

Good idea to get the guns out.